SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SAFETY TRAINING
The transportation of pupils to and from school is an integral part of a sound educational program. Competent school bus drivers are needed to provide safe and effective transportation for students. The training course is designed to promote competency of school bus drivers throughout the state.
The improvements made to school buses in the past decades, and improvements in driver training, school bus maintenance, and school bus operating procedures, have been responsible for the outstanding safety record of school transportation. Well-trained school bus drivers actually avoid many crashes.
20 Hour Certification
The initial 20-hour training includes 10 units consisting of:
- a general introduction,
- student management,
- the driver and their bus,
- traffic regulations and driving procedures,
- responsible driving,
- emergency evacuation procedures,
- first aid,
- procedures for loading and unloading students,
- the special needs child and
- awareness of the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
This certification is valid for a 3-year period.
8 Hour Re-Certification
The 8-hour re-certification training is designed to provide drivers, who were previously certified, with an update of information that includes:
- traffic regulations and driving procedures,
- defensive driving,
- procedures for loading and unloading students and
- student management
Re-certification is intended to help drivers continue to be safe, competent and efficient in the transportation of children by providing the drivers with current information and accepted safety procedures.
The re-certification is valid for a 3-year period.