Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 28 - EDUCATION
Part CXIII - Bulletin 119-Louisiana School Transportation Specifications and Procedures
Chapter 5 - Instructional Program for School Bus Drivers
Section CXIII-503 - Pre-service Training

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code CXIII-503

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Classroom Instruction. The Louisiana School Bus Operator Training manual requires a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service instruction.

1. Unless exemptions are authorized in accordance with the preceding section, pre-service classroom instruction must include instruction in the following courses:
a. First Aid Course (any approved first aid course)-4-8 hours;

b. Drug/Alcohol Awareness Policy and Testing Procedures-2 hours;

c. National Safety Council Bus Driver Defensive Driving Course, ("Coaching the School Bus Driver")-6-8 hours;

d. appropriate units of DOE School Bus Driver Instructional Program-6-8 hours;

e. Assertive Discipline/Passenger Management-1-2 hours;

f. Transporting Students with Disabilities-1-2 hours;

g. applicable federal and state laws and regulations, local ordinances, state and local policies governing school bus transportation-2-4 hours;

h. state and local reporting procedures-2 hours.

2. Additional classroom instruction may include the following topics:
a. Drug Abuse Prevention Awareness;

b. Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse;

c. Preventive Maintenance;

d. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Pre-Test Training;

e. special activity trip requirements; and

f. other topics approved by the DOE.

B. Vehicle Familiarization and Operation Training (4 hours)

1. Prior to certification as a school bus driver, applicants must complete a minimum of four hours of vehicle familiarization and operation training (behind-the-wheel).

2. This instruction must be conducted in the type of vehicle(s) the applicant will drive and should cover at least the following operational topics:
a. pre-trip, enroute, and post-trip inspection procedures;

b. starting, stopping, and turning procedures;

c. proper use of school bus signals;

d. proper backing procedures;

e. loading and unloading students;

f. emergency procedures, including emergency evacuation;

g. procedure at railroad crossings; and

h. student safety instruction.

C. On-the-Bus Training. Prior to certification as a school bus driver, applicants must complete a minimum of 10 hours of driving a school bus. This phase of the training cycle is designed to introduce the driver to the actual school bus driving task. Additional training on-the-bus training may be required as determined by the supervisor of transportation. Supervised on-the-bus training should include, but need not be limited to, the following:

1. observe regular driver-2 hours;

2. drive empty bus-2 hours;

3. drive loaded bus-6 hours.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:158, R.S. 17:160-161, R.S. 17:164-166.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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