School Bus Driver Training

Bob RamsdellNSTA

April 9, 2015

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

• Industry background

• License and Training Requirements

• Training Practices

• Sample Classroom and BTW Training

Overview

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

Student Transportation

• 500,000 school bus drivers

• Over 100,000 entry level drivers per year

• Over 25 Million school children transported daily

• 65% of drivers are employed by school districts;

35% by private contractors

• Drivers are part-time and work split shifts

• Funding comes from school districts

• Safest mode of surface transportation

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

License Requirements

• Commercial Driver’s License

• Passenger Endorsement

• School Bus Endorsement

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

• Regulated by States

• 90% of States have mandatory, pre-service,

entry-level school bus training requirements

• Average of 20 hours classroom; 20 hours behind

the wheel

• Combination of skill and time-based training

• In-service training also required by most states

• Additional training required for “up-grading”

license for other types of school buses

Training Requirements

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

• Training is primarily provided by Districts and

Contractors; in some instances States provide

training

• Trainees do not pay for training provided by

Districts or Contractors

• Instructor certification varies, depending upon

State Law and District of Company Policy

• Training is most often provided between routes by

driver trainers who also drive routes

Training Practices

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

Massachusetts Training• Basic Operation

– Permit training

– Orientation

– Unique features of a

school bus

– Vehicle inspection (pre and

post-trip)

– Control Systems

– Proficiency development

• Safe Operating Procedures

– Mirrors & reference points

– Off road skills

– Offset alley

– Parallel parking

– Alley dock

– On road skills• Turns, right & left

• Intersections

• Backing

• Highway Driving

• City driving

• Winter driving

• Communications

• Vehicle dimensions

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

Massachusetts Training• Advanced Operations

– Hazard perception

– Defensive driving

– Following distance

– Space cushion

– Skid control and recovery

– Special Situations

• Student pick up and drop

off

• Railroad Crossing

• Student management

• Special Needs

• School bus evacuation

• Vehicle Maintenance– Vehicle systems

– Anti-idling

– Diagnosing malfunctions

– Preventative maintenance

– Out of service criteria

• Non-Driving Activities– Crash procedures/safety

equipment

– First aid/blood borne pathogens

– Terrorist & security training

– Trip planning

– Hours of service

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

California Classroom Training

• School Bus Certificate

Requirements

• Bus Operation, Use,

Laws and Regulations

• Vehicle Components

• General Defensive

Driving Techniques

• Specialized Driving

Techniques

• Passenger Loading and

unloading

• Emergency Procedures

• Passenger Management

• Activity Trips

• Special Needs

Passengers

• Public Relations

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

California BTW Training

• Basic vehicle familiarization and movement

• Precision training in vehicle movement and driving

fundamentals

• General defensive driving techniques

• Specialized defensive driving techniques

• Passenger loading and unloading procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Final appraisal

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

Summary

• Student Transportation is regulated by State Law

• Training is predominately conducted by Districts and

Contractors

• Training is free to entry level drivers

• Process for instructor certification varies

• Current training practices have resulted in excellent

safety performance

Getting kids to school safe, on time, and ready to learn . . . every day.

Questions and Answers