Page 106 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

incorporated by reference (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06476) and may be obtained
from the School Transportation Management Section, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The school district shall report dexterity results on Form ESE 480, Dexterity Test for School
Bus Driver (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06477) (effective March 2016), which is
incorporated in this rule by reference. Compliance with 49 CFR 391 is required under Section 1012.45, F.S. Form ESE
480 may be obtained from the School Transportation Management Section, Florida Department of Education, 325
West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
(e) Demonstrate physical and mental capabilities required to carry out all assigned responsibilities as a school bus
driver.
(4) Each district school board shall obtain a driver’s history record from the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles for each regular school bus driver, substitute driver, or any other individual certified to drive a school
bus by the district. The schedule for reviewing these records shall be:
(a) Prior to initial employment;
(b) Prior to the first day of the fall semester;
(c) Thereafter, the district shall continuously screen driver records using the automated weekly updates, ensuring
proper retrieval documentation for every week.
(5) Driver history records shall be requested in a manner prescribed by the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles using the agency’s Motor Vehicle Operator Tracking and Reporting System (MOTRS). All school districts
shall obtain and review records for school bus drivers using MOTRS. For any driver licensed in another state, the
district shall obtain and review the driver’s history record from the appropriate state.
(6) Each school district shall establish a school board policy that specifies which infractions of the traffic code
deem an applicant unqualified for employment and which causes any employee to be subject to a prescribed follow-
up action. At a minimum, this policy shall state that any district school bus driver or contracted driver who should
have known that his or her license has expired or has been suspended or revoked shall be subject to prescribed
disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal by the school board.
(7) At least annually, the school district shall assure that the driver of a school bus meets the following
requirements:
(a) The requirements of paragraph (3)(a) of this rule.
(b) Successfully complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of inservice training related to the driver’s responsibilities
for transporting students, which may include training hours from the required certified CPR and first aid training,
pursuant to subparagraph 6A-3.0121(2)(b)3., F.A.C.
(c) Successfully pass a dexterity test administered by the school district and maintain a valid Medical Examiners
Certificate.
(8) At the time of reemployment, the school board shall assure that each school bus driver meets all of the
requirements of subsection (2) and paragraphs (3)(a) and (d) of this rule. If not more than a twelve continuous
calendar month break in service has occurred, an driver shall be required to complete eight (8) hours of inservice
training related to their responsibilities for transporting students prior to driving a school bus with students. If a period
exceeding twelve (12) calendar months has occurred, the driver shall be required to successfully complete all of the
requirements of subsections (2) through (6) of this rule.
(9) All school bus drivers shall be subject to the Federal requirements of 49 C.F.R., Parts 382 and 391 related to
the substance abuse testing and alcohol detection program.
(10) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (3)(d) of this rule, a school district may accept a Medical
Examiner’s Certificate that specifies a medical variance, waiver or exemption for a condition existing prior to March
23, 2016, if the school bus driver:
(a) Was employed by a school district on or before March 23, 2016;
(b) Was deemed physically capable of operating the vehicle under a prior version of this rule; and,
(c) Has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the school district that he or she is physically capable of operating the
vehicle.

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APPENDIX