581-053-0220 School Bus Driver’s Permit and Certificate (1) No person shall transport pupils in a school bus or a vehicle that has a capacity of more than 20 passengers and not subject to regulations promulgated by the Oregon Department of Transportation or U.S. Department of Transportation, unless such person has a valid School Bus Driver's Permit or Certificate or is a temporary driver, approved by ODE. No person shall transport pupils in a school bus of any size or type without first receiving documented instruction in its safe operation. (2) ODE shall issue a School Bus Driver’s Permit to an applicant who: (a) Possess a valid CDL with proper endorsements for the vehicle being driven; (b) Passes a physical examination as required in OAR 581-053-0040 Physical Examinations within six months prior to application; (c) Passes a behind-the-wheel test administered by an ODE certified behind-the-wheel trainer within one year prior to application; (d) Is not disqualified based on driving or criminal record as required in OAR 581-053-0050 Driving and Criminal Records; (e) Submits an application for School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate signed by the local supervisor certifying: (A) The employer will: (i) Immediately notify ODE if the employer learns of any changes to the applicant's driving and criminal records that could disqualify them from driving under OAR 581-053-0050 Driving and Criminal Records; (ii) Be in compliance with 49 CFR Part 382 FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing; and (iii) Ensure the driver complies with all applicable OARs. (B) The applicant demonstrates the knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a school bus driver. (f) Completes approved behind-the-wheel training. (A) Training shall be for a minimum of 15 hours in actual operation of the vehicle(s) that the applicant will be expected to drive, except training may be to a minimum of four hours if: (i) The applicant has regularly driven a school bus for a period of six months within the last three years; (ii) The school bus was of a size and type similar to that which the applicant will be expected to drive; and (iii) The employer has documentation from the applicant’s previous employer regarding previous experience. (B) Hours counted in paragraph (A) of this subsection shall be spent with a certified Behind-the-Wheel Trainer, or a certified Assistant Trainer working under the direction of a Behind-the-Wheel Trainer, as outlined in OAR 581-053-0130 Assistant Trainer Certificate. (g) Reads and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway signs and traffic signals in the English language and respond to official inquires and make entries on reports and records; and (h) Complies with 49 CFR Part 382, FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing. (i) Has not held a valid School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate within the last year. (3) ODE shall issue an original School Bus Driver's Certificate to applicants who: (a) Possess a valid CDL with proper endorsements for the vehicle being driven; (b) Pass a physical examination as required in OAR 581-053-0040 within six months prior to application; (c) Pass a behind-the-wheel test administered by an ODE certified behind-the-wheel trainer within one year prior to application; (d) Are not disqualified based on driving or criminal record as required in OAR 581-053-0050; (e) Submit an application for School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate signed by the local supervisor certifying that: (A) The employer will: (i) Immediately notify ODE if the employer learns of any changes to the applicant’s driving and criminal records that could disqualify them from driving under OAR 581-053-0050; (ii) Be in compliance with FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing regulations at 49 CFR 382; and (iii) Ensure that the driver complies with all applicable OARs. (B) The applicant: (i) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a school bus driver; (ii) Has completed the Core Course for school bus drivers taught by a certified Core instructor within the last four years; and (iii) Is trained in first aid; (f) Complete approved behind-the-wheel training. (A) Training shall be for a minimum of 15 hours in actual operation of the vehicle(s) that the applicant will be expected to drive, except the training shall be for a minimum of four hours if: (i) The applicant has regularly driven a school bus for a period of six months within the last three years; (ii) The school bus was of a size and type similar to that which the applicant will be expected to driver; and (iii) The employer has documentation from the applicant’s previous employer regarding previous experience. (B) Hours counted in paragraph (A) of this subsection shall be spent with a certified Behind-the-Wheel Trainer, or a certified Assistant Trainer working under the direction of a Behind-the-Wheel Trainer, as outlined in OAR 581-053-0130 Assistant Trainer Certificate; (g) Read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway signs and traffic signals in the English language, and respond to official inquiries and make entries on reports and records; and (h) Comply with 49 CFR Part 382 FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing regulations. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, ODE shall issue a School Bus Driver’s Certificate to an applicant who holds a valid School Bus Driver’s Permit issued under section (2) of this rule, and who submits a School Bus Driver’s Permit Conversion Card signed by a local supervisor certifying that the applicant has: (A) Completed the Core Course for school bus drivers taught by a certified Core Instructor within the last four years; and (B) Is trained in first aid. (4) ODE shall renew a School Bus Driver's Certificate for an applicant who: (a) Possesses or has possessed within the last 12 month period a valid School Bus Driver's Certificate; (b) Possesses a valid CDL with proper endorsements for the type of vehicle being driven; (c) Passes a physical examination as required in OAR 581-053-0040 Physical Examinations within six months prior to application; (d) Is not disqualified based on driving or criminal record as required in OAR 581-053-0050 Driving and Criminal Records; (e) Submits an application for School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate signed by a local supervisor certifying: (A) The employer will: (i) Immediately notify ODE if the employer learns of any changes to the applicant’s driving and criminal records that could disqualify them from driving under OAR 581-053-0050; (ii) Be in compliance with 49 CFR Part 382 FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing; and (iii) Ensure that the driver complies with all applicable OARs. (B) The applicant: (i) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a school bus driver; (ii) Has completed a Core or Core Refresher Course for school bus drivers, taught by a Core or Core Refresher instructor within the last four years; (iii) Is trained in first aid; and (iv) Has completed training averaging at least eight hours annually, while certified as a school bus driver during the preceding four-year period. Training must meet the requirements in OAR 581-053-0225 Approved Training for School Bus Drivers and be received by ODE to qualify. (v) Complies with 49 CFR Part 382 FMCSA Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing. (f) Additional tests may be required by ODE if reasonable doubt of driver competency exists or as required by rule. (5) ODE may approve a person who does not currently possess a valid School Bus Driver's Certificate or Permit as a temporary driver. If approved, a driver shall not drive more than 10 days as a temporary driver during the approval period. ODE shall only approve a temporary driver if the driver: (a) Submits a Request for Approval of a Temporary Driver form, signed by a supervisor; (b) Is judged competent by the local supervisor; (c) Possesses a valid CDL with proper endorsements for the vehicle being driven; (d) Possesses a valid medical certificate; (e) Has passed a driving and criminal records check as required in OAR 581-053-0050 Driving and Criminal Records; and (f) Meets all other requirements listed on the Request for Approval of a Temporary Driver form. (6) Expiration: (a) School Bus Driver’s permits expire 120 days after issuance, or on the date of medical certificate expiration, whichever occurs first. Permits may not be renewed. The holder of a valid permit may apply for a School Bus Driver's Certificate, provided that all requirements have been met for such certificate. (b) School Bus Drivers’ Certificates shall expire two years from the date of the physical examination required in OAR 581-053-0040, except: (A) Certificates for applicants 55 years of age and older shall expire one year from the date of physical examination required in OAR 581-053-0040; and (B) Certificates for applicants who have had a physical examination as required in OAR 581-053-0040 and have been issued a medical certificate with an expiration date that is prior to the expiration dates outlined in this subsection shall expire on the date the medical certificate expires. (c) An approval of a temporary driver expires on July 1, following approval. (7) Age Restrictions: To obtain an original School Bus Driver's Certificate or Permit, or to renew a School Bus Driver's Certificate following a person's 70th birthday, an applicant must comply with all certification requirements and successfully complete an ODE behind-the-wheel test no more than 30 days before the date of application. The test must be administered by a behind-the-wheel trainer. A copy of the test shall be attached to the application form. (8) A driver shall notify ODE, in writing, of any change in the driver’s name, address or employer within 30 days of the change. A duplicate certificate will be issued if necessary. (9) A School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate shall be invalid anytime that: (a) A transportation entity or contractor notifies ODE that the driver is no longer active; (b) The driver is no longer trained in first aid (School Bus Certificate Only); (c) The driver no longer meets the physical requirements outlined in OAR 581-053-0040; or (d) The driver does not maintain or falsifies records required of a diabetic driver outlined in OAR 581-053-0040. (10) A School Bus Driver’s Permit or Certificate shall be valid again if: (a) The permit or certificate was invalid under subsection (9)(a) of this rule when a transportation entity or contractor notifies ODE that they are ensuring the driver’s compliance with these OARs. (b) The certificate was invalid under subsection (9)(b) of this rule when the driver is trained in first aid. (c) The permit or certificate was invalid under subsection (9)(c) of this rule when the driver meets the physical requirements outlined in OAR 581-053-0040. (d) The permit or certificate was invalid under subsection (9)(d) of this rule when the driver is able to produce two weeks of medical records demonstrating compliance with the physical requirements for diabetic drivers outlined in 581-053-0040. (11) ODE shall maintain a list of approved drivers for each school district. The approved driver list and training history shall be made available on request. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.013, ORS 820.100, ORS 820.105, ORS 820.110 & ORS 820.120 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.013, ORS 820.100, ORS 820.105, ORS 820.110 & ORS 820.120 History: ODE 56-2025, amend filed 10/17/2025, effective 10/17/2025 ODE 21-2025, amend filed 04/24/2025, effective 04/24/2025 ODE 40-2014, f. & cert. ef. 9-3-14 ODE 19-2012, f. & cert. ef. 6-14-12