Requirements for Operating a School Bus in the State of Georgia

REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING A SCHOOL BUS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA:

(FEBRUARY 12, 2008)

One must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License in either Class “A” or “B” and with the “P” AND “S” endorsements.

NEW CDL APPLICANTS:

Complete an application for a CDL license to include P & S endorsements. An application must also be completed to add the P and S endorsements to a current CDL.

Obtain a copy of the Georgia Commercial Driver’s Manual

STUDY THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:

2-Driving Safely

4-Transporting Passengers Safely (P)

5-Air Brakes

10-School Bus (S)

Non current holding CDL license holders will take and pass all 4 sections above.

If you do not hold a current P (section 4), and/or S (section 10) endorsement on your CDL license, you must take the test on the endorsement(s) you are missing. You are also required to take the CDL road test as well as the state BOE required Bus Driver Training. This is a state law instituted in 1995.

Once passing all required test, you will be issued a temporary license. This license authorizes you to be trained to take the road test.

You will be tested by a State approved certified CDL tester.

You will be trained locally to prepare for the test.

You will be driven to the test site on a school bus and be given the road test using that bus.

Once the road test is completed, you will be given the results in a sealed envelope.

Take this envelope back to the test center where you were given the written test for the results. If passed-A valid CDL license with the required endorsements will be issued.

GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUS DRIVER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

Receiving a valid CDL license with required endorsements does not qualify you to drive a school bus in the State of Georgia. The following GBOE rule became effective January 1, 2008.

“The initial training program for school bus drivers shall consist of a minimum of twelve (12) hours of classroom, six (6) hours of driving time without students, and six (6) hours of driving time with students. This program is designed to provide minimum basic training for a person with driving experience.” This training will be under the supervision of a BOE certified school bus driver trainer. (Jerry Cox)

“CDL preparation cannot be considered as part of the twelve hour classroom phase.”

If you must add an endorsement to a currently held CDL, you are also required to complete the 24 hours of training as directed by the State BOE.

All school bus drivers are required to receive the mandated 2 hours of training given by the State BOE annually, as well as an annual physical, random drug testing, and annual MVR reports. Drivers must also attend any additional training as required by the local Board Of Education.

ONLY APPROVED DRIVERS ON RECORD AT THE BUS GARAGE WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS FOR THE GRADY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.