Kelly, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill to Address School Bus Driver Shortage
Legislation would eliminate a specific commercial driver’s license testing requirement for school bus drivers
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Driving Forward Act, which would continue to exempt new school bus drivers from the “Under-the-Hood” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing requirement to help alleviate the nationwide shortage of drivers.
“Kids in Arizona deserve to get to school safe and on time,” said Kelly. “This bipartisan bill cuts red tape to help more people become school bus drivers, directly addressing driver shortages and making the drive to school a better one.”
“Young Americans are our nation’s most valuable resource, and it is essential that they have safe and reliable transportation to their schools,” said Cornyn. “This legislation would help ensure there are school bus drivers available in every neighborhood across the country by removing an antiquated and unnecessary obstacle to their certification.”
“Children in Wisconsin and across the country should be able to take the bus and get to school safely and on time,” said Baldwin. “Unfortunately, many communities are struggling to find school bus drivers, and that’s why I am working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to cut red tape, get good drivers behind the wheel, and ensure kids can get to school safely.”
“The school bus driver shortage poses a threat to student safety and access to reliable transportation for students across Tennessee,” said Blackburn. “The Driving Forward Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that would get more qualified individuals into the driver’s seat by extending the current under-the-hood test exemption.”
Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Carter (R-TX-31).
Background:
A significant barrier to entry for new bus drivers is the “Under-the-Hood” testing requirement necessary to obtain a CDL. Federal regulations require CDL holders to be able to lift the hood of a school bus and identify engine parts and functions—a requirement that is mainly for the long-haul trucking industry and adds on average an additional three to four days of training time. Prior to 2020, there were 8,400 school bus drivers in Arizona, there are now less than half that.
Because school bus drivers must remain on the bus with students at all times, an exemption from this testing requirement will not have any effect on the safety level of school bus operations. Should a school bus break down, trained mechanics would complete roadside diagnostics and repairs of mechanical issues.
The exemption does not change the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s vehicle maintenance requirements, including that every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles and that unsafe operations of a motor vehicle are forbidden. Any state or local school bus inspection maintenance standards would continue to apply under this exemption. The FMCSA has confirmed that this exemption does not have an adverse impact on safety.
This legislation is endorsed by the National School Transportation Association, School Superintendent Association, National Rural Education Association, National Association for Pupil Transportation, School Business Officials, and Association of Educational Service Agencies.
Click here for bill text.
