5760 - Qualifications of Bus Drivers

Policy: Qualifications of Bus Drivers	Policy Number: 5760
Date of Original Policy: 07/10/2002	Date Revision Adopted: 11/14/2017
Reviewed by Policy Committee: 10/18/2017	Date of Next Review: 09/28/2020
Replacement of Policy Number:

A person shall be qualified to operate a bus only if such person:

a)    Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age
b)    Has been issued a currently valid driver’s license or permit which is valid for the operation of a bus in New York State
c)    Has passed the annual bus driver physical examination administered pursuant to Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.  In no case shall the interval between physical examinations exceed a 12 month period
d)    Is not disqualified to drive a motor vehicle under Sections 509c and 509cc and any other provisions of Article 19-A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law
e)    Has completed, or is scheduled to complete, State Education Department safety programs as required by law
f)    Is in compliance with federal law and regulations, as well as District policy and/or regulations, as it pertains to meeting the standards governing alcohol and controlled substance testing of bus drivers  if and when applicable.
g)    Has taken and passed a physical performance test at least once every two (2) years and /or following an absence from service of sixty (60) or more consecutive days from his/her scheduled work duties
h)    Is in compliance with all other laws and regulations for operation of a school bus, including licensing and training requirements

Special Requirements for New Bus Drivers

Before employing a new bus driver, the Superintendent or their designee shall:
a)    Require such person to pass a physical examination within four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of service
b)    Obtain a driving record from the appropriate agency in every state in which the person resided, worked, and or held a driver’s license or learner’s permit during the preceding three years
c)    Investigate the person’s employment record during the preceding three years
d)    Require such person to submit to the mandated fingerprinting procedures
e)    Request the Department of Motor Vehicles to initial a criminal history check
f)    Require that newly hired bus drivers take and pass the physical performance test, as mandated by Commissioner’s Regulations, before they transport students.
g)    Is in compliance with federal law and regulations, as well as District policy and/or regulations, as it pertains to meeting the standards governing alcohol and controlled substance testing of bus drivers  if and when applicable.

Sections 509-c, 509-cc, and Article 19-A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law Education Law Section 3624 15
New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Part 6
8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 156.3 Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-143)
49 united States Code (USC) Section 521 (b)
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 40,382,391,392 and 395