Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What is required to obtain certification as a school bus driver in the state of Arizona? What is the process involved?

A: The applicant must have or obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with both passenger and school bus endorsements from the Motor Vehicle Division of the AZ Department of Transportation. The following must also be completed and submitted to the AZ Department of Public Safety, Student Transportation Unit by the applicant’s employer:

1. Fingerprint card
2. $24 fingerprint-card processing fee (check on school’s revolving account, cashier’s check, or money order)
3. AZ DPS Application for School Bus Driver’s Certificate
4. Physical examination (DOT Medical Examination)
5. Physical Performance Test (PPT)

6. Drug screen results
7. Proof of 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training and road test form
8. Proof of first aid and CPR training (Copy of front and back of cards or a Driver Training Report)
9. Driver Training Report showing 14 hours of new driver classroom training

If the documents, driver’s license and background report prove to be satisfactory, a certification number is issued and the employer is notified that the applicant has been certified as a school bus driver.

2. Q: I was a school bus driver in another state and I still have my CDL from that state. What must I do to drive a school bus in Arizona?

A: First, you must go to the Motor Vehicle Division of the AZ Department of Transportation to transfer your CDL to the state of Arizona and obtain passenger and school bus endorsements as well. Then, follow the procedures listed in #1 (above) for obtaining certification as a school bus driver in the state of Arizona.

3. Q: What are the procedures for transferring a driver from one district to another?

A: It is advisable to contact DPS Student Transportation to determine if all required documentation on file at DPS is current. If it is not, Student Transportation personnel will advise what needs to be done. If everything is current, a certified driver may transfer from one school district to another with only a notification letter to DPS Student Transportation containing the following information:

4. Q: Is it legal for a driver with a CDL class A, B, or C with Passenger and School Bus endorsements to transport passengers on a regular route?

A: Only when the driver has an active school bus driver certificate.

5. Q: Is it legal for a mechanic to drive an empty school bus?

A: Only if he has a proper CDL with a passenger endorsement.

6. Q: A driver wants to work for my school as a substitute driver. Is that possible?

A: Yes. Please send a letter on school stationery stating the driver’s name, certification number, and the effective date that he will begin driving as a substitute.

7. Q: What is required for submission as proof of drug screening?

A: The laboratory printout showing the results is acceptable. The chain of custody form is also accepted, but only when the results are indicated along with the medical review officer’s signature (usually at the bottom of the form).

8. Q: May I include more than one type of training on the Driver Training Report?

A: Only First Aid and CPR training may be combined on one report. New Driver and Refresher training need to be on separate reports.

9. Q: How often does the school do evacuation drills? What are the procedures?

A: According to AZ Administrative Code R17-9-104(D)(31), at least twice during every school year an evacuation drill will be conducted that includes every passenger who rides a school bus and is in school on the day of the drill. The procedures are also listed in that section of the administrative code as well as the notification requirements.

10. Q: Is a partial license plate sufficient on the Violation Notice? What about the other information?

A: The notice is generated by the license plate number. If any information other than the vehicle color is missing, the notice cannot be sent. If the information is incorrect, the notice will be sent to the wrong person.

11. Q: I just had my physical examination done. To whom do I submit it?

A: Keep the original for yourself. Make three photocopies of the entire form. One copy goes to your employer for your file. One copy is faxed or mailed to DPS Student Transportation as required for your AZ School Bus Driver Certificate. Your employer has the fax number and mailing address. The last copy goes to the Medical Review Unit as required for your Commercial Driver’s License. You may bring it to a local Driver’s License station or mail it to the address on the letter you should have received from MVD.

12. Q: Once a driver passes the Physical Performance Test for the first time, how often does he/she have to take the test again?

A: Every two years. The completed form should be mailed to the Student Transportation Unit and a copy kept in the drivers file