Bus drivers, take note. The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued new federal requirements for a state-level "school bus driver endorsement," as well as changes to the Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

The new requirements for bus drivers outline special knowledge and skills for all bus drivers who must hold a CDL. To qualify for the new school bus driver endorsement, drivers have to meet three requirements:

• qualify for a state passenger vehicle endorsement by passing the required knowledge and skills test;

• pass a knowledge test that covers at least the following topics: loading and unloading children, including safe use of stop signal devices, external mirrors, flashing lights and other warning devices; emergency exits and evacuation procedures; and laws and regulations for traversing highway rail grade crossings; and

• pass a skills test in a school bus of the same type the applicant will be driving.

Current CDL holders with a passenger vehicle endorsement will have to take the knowledge test if their licensing process or inservice training didn't include a test that meets the requirements listed. Each state has some discretion over who has to take the skills test.

Drivers should also be aware that changes to the CDL allow them to be disqualified if they have been convicted of certain traffic violations or of committing drug- or alcohol-related offenses while operating a passenger vehicle.

States have three years to fully comply with the new law, which took effect on Sept. 30.

The AFT PSRP department has prepared a two-page question-and-answer document that includes detailed information about the new requirements, which is available online in the PSRP section of our Web site.  It also includes links from the Department of Transportation.