Bus Driver

School Bus Driver Certification

An applicant seeking employment as a driver or an operator of a school bus, either privately or publicly owned, is required to take and pass a series of tests as prescribed by the Department of Arkansas State Police and the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to determine the physical fitness and driving ability to serve as a school bus driver.

The tests shall include:

• A physical examination given by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse for school bus drivers, as required by the division;
• Other requirements as may be prescribed by rules issued jointly by the department and the division for qualifications and fitness of school bus drivers; and
• A successfully completed standard bus driver training and preservice behind-the-wheel training program as prescribed by the division.

Upon successful completion and documentation of training listed in subdivision (a)(2)(C) of this section, a certificate, valid for one (1) year, shall be issued by the division.

A school bus driver shall not be employed as an operator of a school bus to transport children to and from school or school-sponsored activities unless he or she has satisfactorily completed the in-service training required in subsection (d) of this section and possesses a current valid certificate therefor.

The certificate shall be required in addition to a commercial driver's license and any additional qualifications required by the school district board of directors.

A school bus driver who seeks a renewal of his or her bus driver certificate shall provide proof that he or she has satisfactorily:

• Passed a physical examination given by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse within the previous two (2) years; and
• Completed in-service training for school bus drivers as prescribed by the division.

A school district board of directors may provide a substitute driver to operate a school bus on a temporary basis without a certificate until the next regularly scheduled school bus driver's examination is held in the locality if:

• A qualified school bus driver is not available to operate a school bus due to death, resignation, disability, illness, or other cause; and
• The school district board of directors is not able to obtain a qualified bus driver with a certificate.

Extracurricular trips shall be made by certified drivers only.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.