Policy 5740

TRANSPORTATION
5740 QUALIFICATIONS OF BUS DRIVERS

A person will be qualified to operate a bus only if that person:

a) Is at least 21 years of age;
b) Has been issued an appropriate driver's license, which is valid for the operation of a bus in New York State;
c) Has passed the annual bus driver physical examination administered in accordance with Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Motor Vehicles regulations. In no case will the interval between physical examinations exceed a 13-month period;
d) Is not disqualified to drive a motor vehicle under any provision of law or regulation;
e) Has on file at least three statements from three different persons who are not related by either blood or marriage to the driver or applicant pertaining to the moral character and to the reliability of the driver or applicant;
f) Has completed, or is scheduled to complete, required New York State Education Department safety programs; 
g) Is in compliance with federal law and regulations, as well as District policy and/or regulations, as it pertains to meeting the standards governing alcohol and controlled substance testing of bus drivers if and when applicable;
h) Has taken and passed a physical performance test approved by the Commissioner of Education at least once every two years and/or following a period of being unavailable for service for 60 or more consecutive days from their scheduled work duties. In no case will the interval between physical performance tests exceed 25 months; and
i) Is in compliance with all other laws and regulations for operating a school bus, including licensing and training requirements.

Special Requirements for New Bus Drivers

Before the District or a vendor/contract bus company, employs a new bus driver, the Superintendent or designee will:

a) Require the person to pass a physical examination within eight weeks prior to the beginning of service;
b) Obtain a driving record from the appropriate agency in every state in which the person resided, worked, and/or held a driver's license or learner's permit during the preceding three years;
c) Investigate the person's employment record during the preceding three years;
d) Require the person to submit to the mandated fingerprinting procedures and criminal history background check;
e) Request the Department of Motor Vehicles to initiate a driving record abstract check; and
f) Require that newly hired bus drivers take and pass the physical performance test, as mandated by Commissioner's regulations, before they transport students.

Occasional Drivers

Under Commissioner's regulations, an occasional driver is defined as a certified teacher who is employed by a school district or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) whose employment does not include serving as either a regular or substitute school bus driver Occasional drivers used for



Policy References:
Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, (Public Law 102-143)
49 USC § 521(b)
Education Law § 3624
Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 19-A
8 NYCRR § 156.3
15 NYCRR Part 6 and § 3.2

NOTE:  Refer also to
Policy 5741 - Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers 


Adopted: 6/22/99
Revised: 9/6/22, 2/28/23

Policy 5740