Bus Driver Training

Bus drivers play a critical role in the safe transportation of students to and from home and school. Because of this, specific certification and driver qualifications must be met by the State of Ohio. 

School Bus Driver Qualifications

The Ohio Pre-Service Driver Training Program evaluates students on a broader understanding of pre-trip inspection items to ensure students have foundational knowledge in order to conduct the inspections required by their future employers.  The Ohio Pre-Service forms are part of the driver training program and is not intended to replace the pre-trip inspection processes required by school bus owners.

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.  

​Information on initial certification, recertification, and many pre-employment requirements for school bus drivers may be reviewed  in OAC 3301-83-06 , 3301-83-10, and physical qualifications may be reviewed in  3301-83-07.

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
 

School Bus/Van Driver Insulin Waivers – New Rule

Insulin Dependent Waiver:  Rule 3301-83-07 of the Administrative Code allows drivers with diabetes who are insulin dependent to drive students if an Insulin Dependent Waiver is issued by the Department.  To receive a waiver, drivers will need to submit the Insulin Dependent Waiver Packet. 

NEW PROCESS effective july 1, 2025:

Insulin Dependent Waiver Packet 
Submit through a secure link using:  filedrop.cloudfs.ohio.gov/

Rule 3301-83-07 effective July 1, 2025: 
  • Under the former rule, every 6 months drivers are required to have a follow-up medical evaluations (endocrinologist and ophthalmologist) and submit statements from the physicians to ODEW indicating the driver’s insulin condition is controlled.  As of July 1, 2025, there is no requirement to submit 6-month follow up evaluation statements to ODEW.  Instead, employers may request the physician statements to confirm the driver’s diabetes continues to be controlled. 
  • Under the former rule, the insulin waiver is valid for 3 years.  As of July 1, 2025, insulin waivers are valid for 6 years.   ODEW will change all drivers’ anniversary dates as of July 1 to reflect a 6-year expiration date.  For example, if a driver expires on July 30, 2025, the date will be updated to July 30, 2028. 
  • Under continuing rule, insulin waiver evaluations must be conducted by a “licensed endocrinologist”.  In the state of Ohio, only physicians are licensed as endocrinologists (not APRNs or Physician’s Assistants). Please ensure that your drivers understand this as medical statements submitted by non-endocrinologists will not be accepted. 
  • Under continuing rule, insulin waiver evaluations must also be conducted by an “ophthalmologist”.   An ophthalmologist is a licensed physician.  Statements from optometrists or other non-ophthalmologists will not be accepted. 
Questions? Please email waiverapp@education.ohio.gov

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements 

Specific questions regarding the CDL should be directed to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Commercial Driver's License page. All school bus driver's must posses a Class B CDL with school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsements in order to transport students. 

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders are required to register with the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which tracks violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing program for drivers that hold a CDL or CLP. Drivers with a "prohibited" status in the Clearinghouse are unable to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The Clearinghouse will electronically notify the BMV of any Clearinghouse status changes, and the BMV is required to downgrade the driver's CDL or CLP privileges. To learn more about the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse please visit: clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Important updates for school bus contractors who are commercial motor carriers:

Effective June 23, 2025:  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will implement significant changes to the Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certification process for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders. Ohio has implemented the National Registry Integration Initiative (NRII), in compliance with the FMCSA requirements. NRII requires Certified Medical Examiners to electronically submit commercial driver medical exam results directly to the FMCSA and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies. 

What this means for drivers who are CDL or CLP holders that may be required to have both a T8 physical and DOT physical:

  • There is no need to fax, mail, or drop off DOT medical cards to the BMV.
  • Medical status will be automatically updated and visible to the BMV and employers.

What this means for transportation supervisors and/or school bus contractors who are commercial motor carriers:

  • You will now verify medical status electronically using CDLIS or MVR; Paper copies are no longer required for CDL/CLP holders.
  • You will need to collect and file paper medical certificates for non-CDL drivers, as this process has not changed.

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Last Modified: 1/14/2026 7:53:28 AM