Before a person may be licensed to assume the duty of
transporting school pupils in either a Type I or Type II school bus, he or she
shall comply with applicable provisions of
23 V.S.A. §
1282, and shall:
(1) Successfully pass the following tests:
a. Vision test.
b. A knowledge test, as prescribed by the
Commissioner, based on the Vermont School Bus Manual for a Type 1 and Type II
School Bus, and the Vermont Commercial Driver License Manual for a Type I
School Bus. The passing score is 80% or better.
c. Road Test. The road test must be taken in
a school bus representative of the type of school bus the person may operate.
An accident, dangerous action, or serious violation would be cause for
immediate rejection.
(2)
No person applying for a school bus endorsement will be permitted such
endorsement unless he or she is physically qualified.
A person is physically qualified to drive a school bus only if
he or she:
A. Has no loss of a foot, a
leg, a hand or an arm, or has been granted a waiver by the department following
a determination that the loss/impairment will not interfere with his or her
ability to control and safely drive a school bus. Such waiver will be subject
to review upon renewal of the endorsement as described in section
(b).
B. Has no impairment of the
use of a foot, a leg, a hand, fingers, or an arm, and no other structural
defect or limitation, which is likely to interfere with his or her ability to
control and safely drive a school bus, or has been granted a waiver by the
department following a determination that the impairment will not interfere
with his or her ability to control and safely drive a school bus. Such waiver
will be subject to review upon renewal of the endorsement as described in
section (b).
C. Has no current
clinical diagnosis of unstabilized diabetes mellitus. An applicant's physician
must certify that the applicant has not had a hypoglycemic reaction for at
least two years. Any diabetic who obtains a school bus driver endorsement must
submit a statement from his or her physician every six months that the
applicant has not had a hypoglycemic reaction during that period.
D. Has no current clinical diagnosis of
myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or
any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by
syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.
E. Has no established medical history or
clinical diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with his or
her ability to control and drive a school bus safely.
F. Has no current clinical diagnosis of high
blood pressure likely to interfere with his or her ability to operate a school
bus safely. The federal regulations for blood pressure readings and medical
recertification are as follows:
(a) An
individual diagnosed with Stage 1 Hypertension (blood pressure reading is
140/90 - 159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an
individual with a blood pressure reading equal to or less than 140/90 may be
certified for one year; however, if his or her blood pressure is greater than
140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be
issued.
(b) An individual diagnosed
with Stage 2 Hypertension (blood pressure reading is 160/100 - 179/109) should
be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued.
Once the driver has reduced his or her blood pressure to equal to or less than
140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter.
(c) An individual diagnosed with Stage 3
Hypertension (blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 180/110) should
not be certified until his or her blood pressure is reduced to 140/90 or less,
and may be recertified every 6 months.
G. Has no established medical history or
clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause
loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a school bus, except
where the established medical history shows no seizures or use of medication
within the last five years preceding application.
H. Has no mental, nervous, organic or
functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his or her
ability to drive a school bus safely.
I. Meets the same vision standards as
required for obtaining a Vermont Learner's Permit, Junior Operator's license
and Operator's license.
J. Is not
totally deaf but can perceive and understand, with or without a hearing aid, a
conversation conducted in a normal tone of voice at a distance not to exceed
five feet. However, a person unable to qualify as above can be granted an
endorsement subject to the following restrictions:
(a) Left and right hand outside rear view
mirrors which give an unobstructed view to the rear on any school bus he or she
may operate.
(b) An inside rear
view mirror which gives the seated driver clear vision of the interior of the
bus.
(c) Must have at least one
individual capable of hearing with or without a hearing device in the bus at
all times when said bus is transporting school age pupils.
K. Does not use an amphetamine, narcotic, or
any habit-forming drug.
L. Has no
current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.
M. Is not using any medication, the side
affects of which would affect the safe operation of a school bus.
The waivers permitted under letters A and B of this section
will be determined during the road test. Acceptance or denial on the basis of
high blood pressure will be determined by the School Bus Driver Medical
Evaluation Form submitted by applicant's own doctor and progress reports at
intervals of 6 months can be required. The possible exception under letter G,
epilepsy, will be determined on the basis of a School Bus Driver Medical
Evaluation Form submitted by the applicant's own doctor. Determination under
letter M above will be based on a recommendation by the person's own doctor or
a School Bus Driver Medical Evaluation Form. Said forms as referenced in this
paragraph are required by statute at T. 23 V. S. A. § 1282.
