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Board of Directors |
Federal Information
One of the areas of revision to the federal CDL regulations created a
new endorsement specific to school bus drivers. This "S" endorsement
will be required of all new school bus driver hired after September 30,
2002. In order to obtain an "S" endorsement, a candidate will have to
satisfy the following three requirements:
1. Pass a knowledge and skills test for a passenger "P"
endorsement under the CDL Program;
2. Pass a knowledge test covering at least:
a. Loading and unloading
children at
school
bus stops;
b. Emergency exits and
procedures;
and
c. State and Federal laws
concerning
safety
at railroad grade crossing:
and
3. Pass a driving skills test in a school bus
of the same type the school bus
applicant will drive.
The new CDL requirements allow a state to substitute previous experience
in driving school buses for the driving skills requirement.
However, if a state chooses this option, the candidate for the "S"
endorsement must certify, and the state must verify, that the applicant
has met a series of requirements and has a good safe driving record.
This option to substitute real-world school bus driving experience as a
means of passing the driving skills test required for an "S" endorsement
can only be used until September 30, 2005. At that time, all new and
renewal school bus CDLs will be required to pass a driving skills test in
a school bus in order to obtain an "S" endorsement.
This information was featured in "National News" newsletter for the
National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation
Services-Sept./Oct. 2002
Wisconsin School Bus Association
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