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Code: GCBA
160-5-3-.08 SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.
(1) DEFINITIONS.
(a) Non-resident - a person who has his or her place of residence in a state other
than Georgia.
(b) Physician - a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed by the Georgia
Composite Medical Board pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 34, Title 43 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated.
(c) Regular school bus driver (operator) - a person who is a regularly employed
driver (operator) and who is not on the substitute list.
(d) Resident - a person who has his or her place of residence in the state of
Georgia.
(e) School bus driver (operator) - a person, appropriately licensed, who controls
the operation of a school bus.
(f) Substitute school bus driver (operator) - a person who is not a regularly
employed driver (operator).
(g) School bus driver trainer – a person who is responsible for the required initial
training of school bus drivers.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.
(a) The local board of education shall employ both regular and substitute drivers of
school buses upon the recommendation of the system superintendent of schools.
(b) Local school systems shall select school bus drivers using the following
minimum criteria:
1. The minimum age to qualify as a bus driver is 18 years.
2. Evidence of a physical examination by a physician or legally authorized
designee within 60 days prior to the date of employment. A physician may delegate
to certain specific healthcare professionals, including physician assistants and
certified nurse practitioners, the authority to sign, certify, and endorse documents
relating to physical examination forms required by the State Board of Education as
authorized by law. See O.C.G.A. § 43-34-23, 43-34-25, 43-34-103.
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(c) To be considered for reemployment for any ensuing school year, the driver shall
pass the annual medical examination prescribed by the Department, not more than 60
days before the beginning of the school year and as often thereafter as the local
system's board of education deems necessary.
(d) Licensing.
1. Local school systems shall ensure that resident school bus drivers have a
Georgia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class A, B or C.
160-5-3-.08 (Continued)
2. School bus drivers shall obtain a CDL Class A, B or C license with a “S”
endorsement, which authorizes the driver to drive a school bus. (The driver of an airbrake-
equipped bus shall not have an "L" restriction which restricts him or her to
vehicles not equipped with air brakes.)
3. Local school systems shall ensure that non-resident school bus drivers have an
appropriate license, issued by their home state, to operate a school bus.
(e) Salary.
1. School systems shall not pay to any regular driver in their employment,
regardless of the type of ownership, a salary less than that prescribed by the state
uniform minimum salary schedule ($6,000 annually). The driver shall receive the
state minimum daily salary for 12 months provided the driver works the entire school
year. The school year includes any authorized sick and personal leave.
2. Substitute drivers shall be paid by the local board of education and not by the
regular school bus driver. The pay scale for substitute school bus drivers shall be
determined by the local board of education.
(f) School Bus Driver Education.
1. Local school systems shall ensure that every new school bus driver satisfactorily
completes a training program approved by the Department prior to driving a school
bus used to transport students. The initial training program for school bus drivers
shall consist of at least 24 hours of training. A description of the required training
program is found in the Georgia School Bus Driver Training Manual, available from
the Department.
2. Local school systems shall require all school bus driver trainers be trained and
certified through a training program offered by the Department.
3. Local school systems shall require all school bus drivers to attend the annual inservice
training and safety programs provided by the Department.
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4. Local school systems shall report all accidents in which school buses are
involved to the Department on forms provided by the Department.
Authority O.C.G.A. § 20-2-188; 20-2-1110; 20-2-1111; 20-2-1112; 20-2-1113; 20-2-
1125; 40-5-23; 40-5-140; 40-5-150.
Adopted: January 12, 2012 Effective: February 1, 2012