Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 581 - OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Division 53 - SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING, LICENSING, AND SCHOOL BUS STANDARDS › Section 581-053-0220 - School Bus Driver's Permit and Certificate

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(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.