Bus Driver Training

1. To obtain full initial driver certification, a person must complete a twenty-hour basic training course. The training agency shall issue a "Texas School Bus Driver Safety Training Certificate" in a timely manner, and submit the necessary verification information to the Texas Education Agency.

2. Driver state certification will remain valid for a period of three (3) calendar years as indicated by the expiration date on the certificate. Certification may be revoked or suspended for the conviction of certain criminal offenses as provided by state law.

3. State law requires that every driver transporting students in a school bus MUST have in their possession a valid state certificate stating that they have completed, or are enrolled in, an approved school bus driver training course, as well as, a current DOT physical and valid Texas CDL.

4. Anyone whose certification has expired CANNOT legally operate a school bus for the transportation of students until such time as they become re-certified or obtain a re-enrollment (emergency) certificate. The following rules shall apply to certification renewals:

a. To avoid a lapse in certification, an eight-hour refresher course must be completed prior to the expiration date, and should be completed during the six-month (180-day) period immediately preceding the date of expiration. If the required training is completed within this time, state certification will then be renewed for a period of three calendar years from the upcoming expiration date.

b. During the twelve-month interval immediately following certification expiration, an eight-hour refresher course may be completed for certification renewal. Failure to satisfactorily complete the refresher course or the requested issuance of an enrollment certificate during this dormant time interval will require the completion of a twenty-hour basic training course in order to reinstate full certification status.

c. If the eight-hour refresher course is completed more than 180 days prior to the certification expiration or during the twelve-month interval following expiration, certification will then be renewed for a period of three calendar years from the actual date of the completion of the course.