Bus Drivers

Bus Drivers play a critical role in the safe transportation of students to and from home and school. Because of this, specific certification and requirements must be met by the State of Ohio. Information on initial certification, recertification, and many pre-employment requirements for school bus drivers may be reviewed on this page.

Driver Training

Below is a list of forms that a driver needs to have completed to allow the data to be entered in the departments driver record system to certify a school vehicle driver.  Please contact your regional Preservice instructor to obtain these forms.

  • T-9 Training Form
  • School Bus Driver Evaluation Forms
  • Ohio School Bus Inspection Form

Driver Qualifications 

This page contains a chart that identifies the qualifications to be a school bus driver or school van driver in the State of Ohio.  Personnel qualifications for bus and van drivers may also be reviewed in OAC 3301-83-06 and 3301-83-07.

CDL Requirements
Specific questions regarding the CDL should be directed to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Office of Licensing and Commercial Standards or to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Information may be accessed at https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-cdl-classes.aspx

Blood Pressure Qualifications:  Rule 3301-83-07 of the Administrative Code establishes physical qualifications for pupil transportation drivers, including parameters for blood pressure.   This table summarizes the blood pressure information set forth in this rule:
Blood Pressure Outcome Required retest Required retest
Less than 160/90 Passes BP test n/a n/a
BP 161-180 diastolic
and/or 91-104 systolic		 Conditional pass
– follow up required		 90 day retest by T-8 physician – must be less than 160/90 or driver is disqualified 6 month (from date of T-8) check by treating physician – must be less than 160/90 or driver is
disqualified
Greater than 180/104 Fails physical n/a n/a
 

Use of Pre-Service Temporary Certificates for New Drivers-Overview 

Ohio law requires that new school bus drivers complete the Ohio Preservice Driver Training Program prior to transporting students on a school bus.  ORC 3327.10, OAC 3301-83-06.  

Under unusual circumstances, OAC 3301-83-10 authorizes a temporary preservice certificate to  be issued during the training period in unusual circumstances. This may be valid for not more than 45 days.  

Typically, temporary certificates are used to accommodate districts when a driver has completed all requirements to drive except for the classroom portion of the preservice training.
 
The conditions for the use of these temporary certificates are as follows: 
 
  1. The Department of Education and Workforce has approved issuance of the certificate. Approval may be granted if the driver has:
 
  • Completed all behind-the-wheel training and been successfully evaluated by an on-the-bus (OBI) instructor on both driving and pretrip skills.
  • A satisfactory criminal background report is on file with the employer.
  • A satisfactory driving history report is on file with the employer.
  • A satisfactory T-8 physical is on file with the employer.
  • A satisfactory pre-employment drug screen has been completed.
  • The driver holds a current, valid CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements.
  • The driver has completed training on all district procedures, including but not limited to route procedures, safety and emergency procedures, and local rules and regulations.
  • The driver is familiar with all Department Pupil Transportation Operation Safety rules.   
  • All training information recorded on the T-9 paper form has been entered in the Department’s web-based reporting system.
 
  1.  Temporary preservice certificates are not valid for existing drivers who are applying for recertification.
 
Districts may obtain temporary certificates from their regional preservice instructor upon Department approval.
 


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Last Modified: 12/18/2024 9:58:07 AM