Beginning School Bus Driver Program

Entry‑level school bus drivers must complete a minimum of 10 hours of behind‑the‑wheel training with a certified trainer before a Transportation Supervisor (or designated representative) may enroll them in the Beginning School Bus Driver Safety Class.

Required Qualifications Before Transporting Students

Before transporting students, all bus drivers must:

• Pass a DOT physical

• Pass a DOT pre‑employment drug test

• Pass a criminal history check

• Pass a driving record check

• Complete Entry‑Level Driver Training (ELDT)

• Possess a Chauffeur's license and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Group A, B, or C and PS endorsements

• Hold a current white Course Enrollment Card and/or a yellow or green Course Completion Card

A Beginning Bus Driver Registration Form must be completed for each driver by a school district's Transportation Supervisor (or designated representative) and submitted to RTSI at least three (3) business days before the requested class date. The registration fee is $135 per driver and will be billed to the district/entity after the class is completed.

If a registered driver cannot attend, districts must email a cancellation or replacement notice at least three (3) business days before the class date.

• Districts/entities may be billed the full fee for late cancellations or no-shows

• Supervisors will be notified if a driver misses any portion of the class

Class Cancellations by RTSI

Classes may be canceled due to low enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. Districts with registered drivers will be notified as early as possible, and drivers will be rescheduled for the next available session.

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.