What FMCSA regulations do school bus companies need to follow?
Foley frequently shares the federal requirements that businesses relying on commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, must follow. But what about school buses?
The applicability of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) varies depending on the business model and the type of transportation a school bus provides.
When private schools, colleges, or universities use commercial vehicles to transport their students and staff, they are regulated under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) as a private motor carrier of passengers (PMCP). Similarly, when a private college or university hires a company to transport students and personnel using CMVs, the contracted company is regulated under the FMCSRs as a for-hire motor carrier.
Refer to the chart below to determine how the FMCSRs apply to different types of school bus transportation.
In this article, we'll answer the following questions:
- Do school buses need a DOT number?
- What type of license and endorsement do you need to drive a bus?
- How many hours can a bus driver drive in a day?
- Do bus drivers need DOT physicals?
- Do bus drivers need to be enrolled in a DOT drug testing program?
- Do bus drivers need DOT driver qualification files?
- How much insurance coverage do school buses need?
Let's dive into the DOT compliance requirements for buses and bus drivers.
Do school buses need a DOT number?
All companies operating commercial vehicles for passenger or cargo transport across state lines, as well as those carrying hazardous materials requiring a safety permit, must register with the FMCSA and obtain a USDOT number.
If your buses cross state lines and meet any of the following criteria:
- Gross vehicle weight or combined weight over 10,001 lbs
- Vehicles designed or used to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation
- Vehicles designed or used to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, without compensation
- Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials designated by the Secretary of Transportation
Then, under federal law, you are required to have a DOT number.
What type of license and endorsement do you need to drive a bus?
Drivers can operate a vehicle at or over 26,001 lbs in GCWR with a Class B commercial license, meaning bus drivers must obtain their Class B before operating a school bus.
School bus drivers are required to have both P (Passenger) and S (School Bus) endorsements. School bus drivers must also pass a federal background check.
How many hours can a bus driver driver in a day?
According to FMCSA regulations, bus drivers may operate for 10 hours following a mandatory eight consecutive hours off duty. There is no restriction on the continuity of these 10 hours; drivers have the flexibility to drive in intervals ranging from a few minutes up to the full 10 hours consecutively.
Do bus drivers need DOT physicals?
If drivers operate vehicles that meet the criteria specified above, they must undergo DOT physical exams to determine if they are healthy and qualified enough to perform safety-sensitive job duties.
The DOT physical exam consists of a physical examination, vision test, hearing test, blood pressure check, urine test (not for drug testing purposes), and sleep apnea test.
The DOT physical requirements for school bus drivers involve the drivers passing a DOT physical at least every two years, but they may be required to undergo an examination more often if they are diagnosed with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
You can find out everything you need to know about the DOT physical exam in this Foley article.
Do bus drivers need to be enrolled in a DOT drug testing program?
Bus drivers are mandated to undergo frequent drug tests to maintain strict safety standards. The FMCSA requires that commercial drivers, including bus drivers, participate in several types of drug testing: pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing.
- Pre-Employment Testing: Before hiring, bus drivers must pass a DOT drug test to confirm they are free of substances as they enter the workforce, which is especially important if they are transporting vulnerable populations.
- Random Testing: Throughout the year, bus drivers are subjected to unannounced drug tests, which help deter substance use by maintaining an element of unpredictability.
- Post-Accident Testing: Bus drivers can be tested for alcohol and substance use following accidents or incidents to assess if these items were a contributing factor.
- Reasonable Suspicion Testing: Bus drivers suspected of substance use based on reasonable grounds are required to undergo drug testing.
- Return-to-Duty Testing: Bus drivers who have completed a drug rehabilitation program must pass a return-to-duty DOT drug test before they are allowed to resume driving.
If bus drivers are enrolled in a DOT drug testing program, they must also be registered in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which is a federal database for reporting and tracking DOT drug and alcohol violations.
Do bus drivers need DOT driver qualification files?
According to this FMCSA regulation, each of your bus drivers must have their own driver qualification file if the vehicles they operate meet the criteria we covered at the beginning of this article.
The DOT driver qualification file is designed to organize and maintain records of your drivers' abilities to safely operate commercial vehicles, or more specifically, school buses.
What records do you need to keep in bus drivers' DOT driver files and for how long? Find out in this comprehensive Foley article.
How much insurance coverage do school buses need?
Federal regulations require for-hire motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce to maintain minimum public liability insurance levels as follows:
- Vehicles that can seat 16 or more passengers (including the driver) must have coverage of $5,000,000
- Vehicles seating 15 or fewer passengers (including the driver) require $1,500,000 in coverage
Exceptions to these financial responsibility requirements include vehicles solely transporting school children and teachers to and from school. Additionally, vehicles operated by companies under contract to transport pre-primary, primary, and secondary students for school district-organized, sponsored, and financed extracurricular trips are also exempt.
School Bus Companies Follow Complex Federal Regulations Easily with DOT Compliance Software
Now that you know how the FMCSA regulates your fleet of school buses and commercial drivers, it's time to get your DOT compliance in order.
Any company under the FMCSA's watchful eye can be audited at any time — meaning you'll need to show proof of the DOT compliance programs you have in place via digital records that are organized and up-to-date.
Dash, Foley's DOT compliance and driver data monitoring platform, consolidates your programs and records into one convenient place that can be accessed anywhere, anytime, for easy, ongoing compliance. Plus, you can enroll your bus drivers into Foley's MVR monitor to ensure they're always transporting precious cargo to the highest safety standards.
Click here to schedule your FREE demo of Dash or fill out the form below and see how seamless your DOT compliance management can be with the right partner.
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