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Bus Driver Certifcation

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Online 8 Hour Recertification

Region 3 is now offering an online 8-hour Recertification course to maintain the three-year requirement for recertification as a Texas school bus driver. Delivered in English and online, the course is in compliance with all state and federal requirements. The course includes the required eight modules from the Texas School Bus Driver Recertification Course Guide.

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Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

  • Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) went into effect beginning February 7, 2022.

    ELDT is federally mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), not by DPS. All states are required to comply with ELDT.

  • ELDT applies to the following:

    • Persons wishing to obtain a CDL with P & S endorsements for the first time.
    • Person's that previously had a CDL but let it go back to a regular DL and now wants a CDL again.
    • Persons that currently hold a CDL but wishes to add P and/or S endorsements.

  • Districts must visit the following FMCSA’s website for all information regarding becoming a training provider of ELDT or to find a training provider in their area:  FMCSA

    • The maximum capacity for the Face to Face classes (Cert & Re-cert) is 35
    • All Bus driver cards need to match their CDL cards (First and Last name). For example if your name is William but in our system at Region 3 you put Bill then your cards will not match. Starting today we will have to make sure all cards for Cert and Re-Cert classes match your CDL. If they do not currently match you are fine but the next time you take a class then we will have to change it in our system.
    • Make sure you are running all driving records through DPS and not 3rd party.

  • It’s important to remember DPS launched its new appointment solution when DL offices reopened in May, and all services are now conducted by appointment only. DPS moved to this new appointment system to provide additional convenience, reducing the time Texans spend waiting in line. Customers can now book appointments for a specific day and time, up to six months in advance, and show up 30 minutes or less before their scheduled appointment. Customers can check-in using the kiosk inside the office or from their mobile device.

    To schedule an appointment or check availability, visit the online appointment scheduler.

    A limited number of same day appointments will also be available at each DL office. These appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers who book these appointments can then leave the DL office until their designated appointment time. Additionally, in most offices, customers without an appointment may be offered the opportunity to be placed on a “standby” list. These customers are required to wait in the office and are assisted in the event of a cancelation or a no-show. The number of standby appointments is limited to ensure all customers who are placed on the list will be served by the end of the day.

    DL offices have implemented several COVID-19 protocols to ensure a safe environment. Read about them at DPS. The Texas Department of Public Safety has given their website a much needed face lift. Any pages that were previously book marked may no longer be working. Below are a few of the new direct links that pertain to school bus transportation.

Becoming A Bus Driver Flow Chart

A visual roadmap outlining the steps to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for bus drivers, including knowledge tests, behind-the-wheel training, and skills testing.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Beginning February 7, 2022, CDL applicants must complete a prescribed program of instruction presented by a training provider listed in FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, prior to taking a relevant skills or knowledge test.

The TPR is a FMCSA web system that will list all training providers that register with FMCSA and self-certify they meet the requirements for being an entry-level driver training provider (ELDT)

To become a training provider, you must meet all Federal requirements and register with FMCSA. Registration for the Training Provider Registration will begin this Summer. Please visit the website to sign up to receive email updates.

FMCSA Training Provider Link

Please note that ELDT is a Federal rule, not a State rule. All states must follow Federal rules for obtaining a CDL. School bus drivers are NOT exempt from ELDT.

Medical Certificates

Medical certificates can be submitted to DPS by email CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax 512-424-2002.

Bus Driver Certification is a state-mandated program to provide 20-hours of certification training to all new school bus drivers. Once certified, drivers are required to take an 8-hour refresher course every three years. Course content is prescribed by the Department of Public Safety.

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