Driver Training and Qualifications
The transportation of school children is an integral part of our educational system and requires the dedication and cooperation of many individuals. However, the ultimate responsibility to ensure the safe transportation of our children rests with the school bus drivers. The Transportation Department goes to great lengths to ensure the quality and skill of its bus drivers, and the safety of the children they drive to school every day. The following is a list of requirements for each of our bus drivers:
Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Requirements:
Class B Minnesota license with both school bus & passenger endorsements
Background Checks:
- Moving violation record check twice annually
- National criminal background check
- Two Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background checks
- Department of Public Safety initiated BCA background check every four years upon license renewal
- Previous employer references checked
Other Employment Requirements:
- School bus physical (must be renewed every two years)
- Drug testing: pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and follow-up
School District Training:
- Classroom instruction
- Behind-the-wheel training
- Pre-trip inspection training
Driver In-Services & Evaluation:
- Sixteen hours of annual driver in-services
- Safety coordinator ride-along and pre-trip inspection evaluations
CPR & First Aid Training:
- Drivers and bus aides maintain CPR & first aid certification