2316 - School Bus Driver Requirements
2316 School Bus Driver Requirements 2316
In order to ensure the safety of students while being transported on school vehicles, the Board
requires the following of school bus drivers transporting Milford students. These requirements
shall be included within any District contractual agreement with school bus vendors.
1. Medical Examinations
In accordance with RSA 200:37, before employing any person as a school bus operator,
directly or through a vendor, the District shall require that such person submit a certificate
signed by a licensed physician setting forth the physician’s findings as a result of the
examination to determine the physical condition of drivers in accordance with the
requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 391.41-391.49. Such certificate shall be submitted to the
District prior to the commencement of such employment. The District shall require physical
examinations of operators and submission of certificates every two years, and, for drivers
age 70 and over, an annual examination along with submission of certificates.
2. School Bus Driver Certificates
No person shall be employed as a school bus operator, directly or through a vendor, unless
the person has received a School Bus Operator’s Certificate from the NH Department of
Motor Vehicles as required by RSA 263:29.
3. Criminal Background Investigation
Before employing any person as a school bus operator, directly or through a vendor, the
District shall require a criminal background investigation as set forth in RSA 189:13-a.
4. Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing
In compliance with the United States Department of Transportation’s Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 391, all Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders and personnel
performing safety-sensitive inspections related to the transportation of students will be
required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Testing procedures and facilities used for
the tests shall conform to the requirements of 49 C.F.R Part 40. The term CDL Holder
refers to someone who is required, as part of their job duties, to hold a Commercial Driver’s
License. The term safety-sensitive function refers to all tasks associated with the operation
and maintenance of commercial vehicles. For purposes of this policy, a commercial vehicle
is any vehicle capable of carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
If the District employs bus drivers directly, the District will ensure compliance. If the District
contracts with a vendor for student transportation, the vendor shall provide an annual
written assurance of compliance to the District.
Drug and alcohol testing includes pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and
post-accident testing as defined by Department of Labor regulations. Any person having a
confirmed positive test for drugs or a confirmed alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater will
be terminated from employment.
5. Other
Drivers shall comply with all other regulations as described in Milford School District policy and
handbooks. The District reserves the right to remove any driver at any time if the District
determines it to be in the best interests of the District.
References:
RSA 200:37, Medical Examination of Bus Drivers
RSA 263:29, School Bus Driver’s Certificate
RSA 189:13-a, Background Investigations
49 C.F.R, 40.1-40.13 (2001), Transportation Workplace Drug Testing
49 C.F.R, Part 391 (1995), Qualifications of Drivers
Adopted: 10/2010