Beginning School Bus Driver Program
The Beginning School Bus Driver Class is a mandatory 21-hour safety course for new school bus drivers who have met all prerequisites for driving a school bus and those who have a certificate of course completion that has expired.
Curriculum Overview
Training is broken up into two phases:
Classroom
Nine instructional units are covered during the classroom phase:
- Driver Role and Responsibility
- Vehicle Familiarization
- Vehicle Inspection
- Vehicle Operation
- Collision and Emergency Procedures
- Loading and Unloading Passengers
- Passenger Management
- Special Education
- Field Trips Traffic Control Devices
Range
(currently demonstrated in the classroom)
The range portion is a "hands-on" training experience for bus drivers. Drivers will perform the following performance tasks:
1. Using a fire extinguisher
2. Lighting a fuse
3. Evacuating a school bus
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Register for a Beginning Bus Driver Class 2025-26
| Status | # of Days | Days | Dates | Location | Time | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completed | 3 | W-F | 4/8 - 10/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Wile Auditorium 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Registration Closed | 3 | W-F | 5/13 - 15/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Room B 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| REGISTER HERE | 3 | W-F | 6/24 - 26/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rms B & C 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
Classes updated regularly.
- Online Registration Form for Beginning Bus Driver & Basic Transportation Management Class
- Email Kelly Edra at kelly.edra@kresa.org if an alternative registration form is needed
Schedule of Beginning Bus Driver Classes 2026-27
| Status | # of Days | Days | Dates | Location | Time | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGISTER HERE | 3 | W-F | 8/5 - 7/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 9/16 - 18/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 5 | W-F & M-Tu |
10/7 - 13/2026 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
9:30 am -1:15 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 11/4 - 6/2026 *Snow Date: 11/10/2026 |
Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 2 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 12/9 - 11/2026 *Snow Date: 12/15/2026 |
Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 5 | W-F & M-Tu |
1/13 - 19/2027 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
9:30 am -1:15 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 2/3 - 5/2027 *Snow Date: 2/9/2027 |
Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 3/3 - 5/2027 *Snow Date: 3/9/2027 |
Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 4/7 - 9/2027 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 5/5 - 7/2027 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
| Outside of 90-day window | 3 | W-F | 6/23 - 25/2027 | Kalamazoo RESA Conference Rooms 1819 East Milham Ave, Portage |
7 am - 1:30 pm | $135/each |
Classes updated regularly.
- Online Registration Form for Beginning Bus Driver & Basic Transportation Management Class
- Email Kelly Edra at kelly.edra@kresa.org if an alternative registration form is needed
Training Program Registration Requirements and Information
Training program materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.
Receipt of Course Enrollment Cards (CECs)
Transportation Supervisors (or designated representatives) can request a digital and/or hard copy of a white Course Enrollment Card (CEC) via the Beginning Bus Driver Registration Form on behalf of drivers who meet all necessary requirements (see above). This CEC acts as a temporary driving certificate and is valid for up to 10 days following completion of the Beginning Bus Driver Safety Class.
Hard copies are sent through the Regional Educational Media Center (REMC) mail to participating districts and USPS mail to all others.
Please note that CECs cannot be issued until 90 days prior to the requested class date and only ONE white card will be issued. If a driver cancels and/or does not attend the class dates for which s/he is registered, for any reason, they are not eligible for another card and will not be able to transport students after the expiration date on the original card.