(a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall prepare for use in all high and other secondary schools a course of study of motor vehicle operation and highway safety.

      (b) Each local and regional board of education may provide a course of instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety on a secondary school level, which course (1) shall consist of not less than thirty clock hours of classroom instruction offered during or after school hours as said board of education, in its discretion, may provide, including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes concerning the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under subsection (b) of section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the provisions of said subsection (b), and (2) may include behind-the-wheel instruction of up to twenty clock hours. Said course shall be open to enrollment by any person between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, inclusive, who is a resident of the town or school district or whose parent, parents or legal guardian owns property taxable in such town or school district. Any such board of education may contract for such behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed drivers’ school.