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School Bus Driver Handbook Revised March 2019

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School Bus Driver Handbook Revised March 2019 School Bus Driver Handbook Revised March 2019 Chris Reykdal Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Old Capitol Building P.O. Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200 To obtain additional copies of this document, please visit our Web site at http://www.k12.wa.us/transportation/publications.aspx. It is available in PDF format. Please refer to the document number provided below. 19-0011 OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at (360) 725- 6162 or P.O. Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER HANDBOOK CHRIS REYKDAL State Superintendent of Public Instruction T. J. KELLY Chief Financial Officer K–12 Financial Resources PATTI ENBODY Director Student Transportation August 2017 Note: The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is committed to providing access to all individuals seeking information on our website. Some changes to the layout and design of this document have been made in order to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the OSPI Accessibility Policy. Acknowledgments This revision of the School Bus Driver Handbook was based on previous versions. Therefore, it is only right that all those involved in the development of driver handbooks over the years be acknowledged. Unfortunately, no comprehensive list of those individuals exists. Isaac Newton said: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Likewise, those who worked on this handbook have been able to stand on the shoulders of those giants in the field of student transportation in Washington State. We thank you. Special mention is reserved for the state driver training committee and those dedicated professionals, the regional transportation coordinators of the Educational Service Districts (ESDs): Rodney McKnight, ESD 112 & ESD 113 Michael Shahan, Puget Sound ESD 121 & Olympic ESD 114 Mark Dennis, Northwest ESD 189 Dan Payne, ESD 105, ESD 123 & ESD 171 Chris Jose, Northeast Washington ESD 101 Table of Contents SCHOOL BUS DRIVER HANDBOOK .................................................................................. i Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2 SCHOOL BUS DRIVER REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................... 1 School Bus Driver Authorization ............................................................................................. 1 Initial Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 1 Continuing Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 2 Disqualifying Conditions ....................................................................................................................... 2 Diabetes Waiver Program .................................................................................................................... 3 Professional Misconduct ....................................................................................................................... 4 Reporting Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 4 Commercial Driver License (CDL) Requirements ................................................................... 5 Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements ................................................................................ 5 Pre-Employment Testing for Controlled Substances ........................................................................... 6 Random Drug and Alcohol Testing ...................................................................................................... 6 Post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing .............................................................................................. 6 Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing ................................................................................... 7 Refusal to Submit to a Drug or Alcohol Test ........................................................................................ 7 School District Employee Requirements ................................................................................ 8 Policies and Procedures ....................................................................................................................... 8 Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and/or Neglect ............................................................................... 8 Child Abuse or Neglect Disclosure ....................................................................................................... 9 Reporting Harassment ........................................................................................................................ 10 Student Information and Confidentiality ............................................................................................. 10 In Case of Civil Emergency or Natural Disasters ............................................................................... 10 Expectations and Responsibilities .........................................................................................11 Driver Appearance .............................................................................................................................. 11 Public Relations .................................................................................................................................. 11 Attitude and Image Building................................................................................................................ 12 Driver Liability ..................................................................................................................................... 12 SCHOOL BUS DRIVING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................... 15 School Bus Construction and Standards ...............................................................................15 Driving Requirements ............................................................................................................16 Pre-Trip Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 16 Post-Trip Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 16 Driver Seat Belt Use ........................................................................................................................... 17 Student Seating .................................................................................................................................. 17 Cell Phones and Music Players .......................................................................................................... 18 Prohibited Items .................................................................................................................................. 18 Loose Items ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Use of Strobe Lights ........................................................................................................................... 19 Two-way Radio Procedures ............................................................................................................... 20 Fuel Conservation .................................................................................................................21 Diesel Emission and Anti-Idling Policies ............................................................................................ 21 Driving for Fuel Conservation ............................................................................................................. 22 Rules for Substitutes .............................................................................................................24 Special Trip Requirements ....................................................................................................25 Field Trip and Extra-curricular Trip Requirements ............................................................................. 25 Loading and Unloading .........................................................................................................25 Authorized Stops and Passengers ..................................................................................................... 25 Driver Responsibility ........................................................................................................................... 26 Loading and Unloading Procedures: Approaching the Bus Stop ....................................................... 26 Loading and Unloading Procedures: Stopping and Securing the Bus ............................................... 27 Loading and Unloading Procedures: Crossing Students / Loading - Unloading Students ................
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