Drivers must hold a Commercial Driver’s License—CLASS B with Passenger and School Bus endorsement. Drivers must meet all Department of Motor Vehicle Article 19A regulations, which include an annual physical, road tests and written tests. A 19A examiner rides with drivers at least once a year.
All new drivers must be fingerprinted for background check with state and federal agencies.
New drivers are subject to pre-employment drug screening. Upon being hired, effective January 1, 1995, all current drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing as well as all new drivers. Yearly, 10% of drivers are tested for alcohol and 50% of drivers are tested for drugs.
All new drivers will take a physical performance test upon employment. Re-testing is conducted every two years.
New drivers will receive approximately 40 hours of training to learn the proper driving skills for handling a school bus. In addition, they will be given training on state and federal laws and regulations, district policies, and on the locations of our schools.
Two 2-hour safety refresher courses are required for all drivers annually. In addition, two 1-hour safety refresher courses are required annually for drivers of students with special needs.
A 30-hour basic training course must be completed within the first year of hire.
