Pupil Transportation

Requirements to Become Qualified to Drive - Effective 07/01/2019; Revised 2/5/20

Requirements for Current Drivers and Employers - Effective 07/01/2019; Revised 2/5/20 

Rule 91
Driver Qualifications and Operational Procedures for Pupil Transportation Vehicles
Summary of Rule 91 Revisions - Effective 07/01/2019

Rule 92

Regulations Governing the Minimum Equipment Standards and Safety Inspection Criteria for Pupil Transportation Vehicles Basic Information needed to develop the skills, attitudes, amd knowledge for safe and effective driving.
Summary of Rule 92 Revisions - Effective 07/01/2019

Pupil Transportation Guide

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

More information is available on the DMV website or you may call (402) 471-3861.

Level I | Three Hour Course | Category A

The three hour Level I course is designed for drivers who will be driving ONLY a small vehicle. Individuals who need the three hour course will attend the first day first three hours of the 11-hour, Level I course. Registrations must be done through the database in order to take the course. In addition, individuals must complete a Behind the Wheel/Pre-Drive to be qualified to drive.  A driver is required to take the Level II within five years of their Level I.

Level I | 11 Hour Course | Category B

The Level I 11 hour course is designed for drivers who will be driving a small bus with 15 or less passengers (category B). Registrations must be done through the database in order to take the course. Course details can be found above. In addition, individuals must complete a Behind the Wheel/Pre-Drive to be qualified to drive.  A driver is required to take the Level II within five years of their Level I.

Level I | ELDT Course | Category C

The Level I ELDT course is designed for drivers who will be driving a school bus with 15 or more passengers (category C). The driver will complete the Class B and Passenger endorsement training classes online - approximately 6 hours including testing. Then the driver can register for the in person 5 hour School Bus endorsement class. Registrations must be done through the database in order to take the course. Course details can be found above. In addition, individuals must complete a Behind the Wheel/Pre-Drive to be qualified to drive.  A driver is required to take the Level II within five years of their Level I. Please follow the steps in this document to register for the Level I for School Bus drivers - Level I / ELDT for School Bus Drivers

Level II | Three hour course

The level II course is a refresher course for all drivers who have completed a Level I and the course must be taken within five years of your Level I course.  Registrations must be done through the database in order to take the course.

Materials students must bring to Level I and Level II courses:

• Current Driver’s License
• Download and Print a copy of the Pupil Transportation Guide(THIS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED)
  
  

Level I and Level II Zoom Expectations: 

• Attendance - will be monitored throughout the length of the session. If there seems to be an issue with participation, attendance credit will not be given for the course unless there is communication with the instructor or other NSC staff.
• Breaks - If breaks take place please use these times to use the restroom, chat with peers, and use your cell phone.
• Phones/Other Electronic Devices - Phones will need to be put away as they serve as a distraction to not only the participant, but also the instructor.
• Cameras on - The NSC understands that not every individual will have access to a video camera for zoom at home. This is a school/driver responsibility to make certain that the driver(s) has/have access to the technology to make these sessions a success.
• Test Technology Ahead of Session - Test your technology ahead of your zoom session. We have limited time to troubleshoot the day of the course. Make sure your equipment is ready to go.
• Arrive Early - Plan to sign in a little early to prevent technology issues from popping up.

How to Zoom Guide

Notice:

In the event of weather related cancellations - an email will be sent to the email address provided in the database and we will attempt to place phone calls to both the employer and student phone numbers. If you are concerned about weather conditions in your area - please contact the Nebraska Safety Center at 1 (800) 854-7867 or (308) 865-1550 or email bus@unk.edu for more information.

Registrations must be received 7 school days prior to the beginning course date. Registrations received less than 7 school days prior to the beginning course date cannot be guaranteed a seat in the requested course.

CDL Requirements
If the vehicle requires the driver to hold a CDL, the applicant must hold a Learner’s Permit for Commercial Vehicles (LPC) prior to the “behind the wheel” evaluation. In order to obtain the LPC the applicant must pass a general knowledge written examination based on the information contained in the CDL Manual.

A school bus Pre-Trip Inspection video can be found at the DMV's website:  http://www.dmv.nebraska.gov/examining/CDL.html

New this year - we have produced two separate trainings for the 2-Hour In-Service; one for Bus drivers and one for Small Vehicles drivers (10 or less passengers). You will receive access to both of these with your registration.

All employers are required to provide two hours of in-service each year for all Pupil Transportation drivers. Employers can cover the training or the Nebraska Safety Center can provide the In-Service training for a $250 fee. This link is good through May 31, 2025 for all drivers at your school.

Two Hour In-Service must include:

• Emergency Evacuations
• Loading and Unloading
• Student Management
• Vehicle Inspections
• School District Safe Pupil Transportation Plan
  
  

Read all of the steps below to obtain access to the training.

1. Follow the link below to a survey that will get you registered for the Two-Hour In Service Register Here  
2. Once the survey is fully completed you will receive an email with a link to the contract. Please fill out the client information then begin signing. If someone else needs to sign the contract, please forward that email to them.
3. You will indicate what email address you would like to use for your training (I would recommend using a generic email account if possible) & we will email you a link in 1-2 business days to enroll in the course. You will either log in with your credentials from last year, if you used the same email address as last year OR create a new account.
4. If you are creating a new account, please type in the school’s name for the first and last name; not the person that is creating the account.
5. You will be responsible for providing the username (email address) and password to your drivers so they can access the training.  
6. The questionnaire and completion certificate options are listed below each video when your drivers sign into NU connect. You can have your staff use them however, it is not a requirement.    
7. The Safety Center will send an invoice to the school for payment at the end of the month.   
8. We recommend that the training be completed in a group setting but can it be done individually as well.  
9. Your purchase of the training is valid for only your school to use and good for the school year. The link to the in-service will expire on 5-31-25.   
10. It is the school's responsibility to keep track of who takes the training. The Safety Center will not keep track of who takes the training. 

Employers can cover the training or the Nebraska Safety Center can provide the In-Service training. 

Video Communications

Entry Level Driver Training

The Entry Level Driver Training  (ELDT) regulations are Federal requirements for training for entry-level drivers.  These regulations must be completed before being permitted to take certain commercial drivers’ license (CDL) skills or knowledge tests on or after February 7^, 2022. 

The Nebraska Safety Center will now be providing ELDT for schools.

Level I | ELDT Course

The Level I ELDT course is designed for drivers who will be driving a school bus with 16 or more passengers (category C). The driver will complete the Class B and Passenger endorsement training online 6 hours including testing. Then the driver can register for the in person 5 hour School Bus endorsement class. Registrations must be done through the database in order to take the course. Course details can be found above. In addition, individuals must complete a Behind the Wheel/Pre-Drive to be qualified to drive.  A driver is required to take the Level II within five years of their Level I.

ELDT Resources

https://nsta-nebraska.com/website-links/

https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Nebraska School Transportation Association

https://nsta-nebraska.com/

 Who is considered an entry-level driver?  Individuals applying to:

• Obtain a Class A CDL or Class B CDL for the first time
• Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL
• Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time
  

Pupil Transportation Level Certification Materials

• Pupil Transportation Guide 
• Pre-Drive Form
• DMV School Bus Pre-Trip Inspection Video
• Medical Examiner's Certificate
• Medical Form (Long Form)
• Section 10 of the CDL Manual
• Online Waivers
  • Level I and II online waiver

General Pupil Transportation Information

• Nebraska Department of Education
• Nebraska School Transportation Association
• National School Transportation Association
• National Association for Pupil Transportation
• FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
• School Bus Fleet Forum
• County DMV Schedules
• Nebraska School Bus Stop Law Card
• Nebraska Child Passenger Safety Law (LB42)
• BOTL Wallet Card
• BOTL Brochure
• Child Passenger Safety Securement Recommendations
• DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy And Compliance Notice
• NHTSA Proper use of Seat Belts on School Buses

Medical Exams using the Medical Registry

NDE Pupil Transportation Rule 91 and Rule 92 (effective March 9, 2008) states that beginning June 7, 2011, vans originally manufactured as 15-passenger vans and modified so the seating was 10 passengers or less (not including the driver) can no longer be used to transport students. This ban does not include 12-passenger vans which have been modified by the dealer or manufacturer.

• Department of Education Modified 15-Passenger Van Information
• Van Safety Information from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration