PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK Texas School Bus Driver Recertification Course TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Texas School Bus Driver Recertification Course: Table of Contents Module 1—Introduction and Overview ......................................................... 7 Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 7 Topics Covered in This Module ................................................................................................. 7 Course Operation ............................................................................................................................. 7 Why You Are Taking This Course .................................................................................................... 8 Required Recertification ............................................................................................................ 8 Failure to Retain Knowledge ..................................................................................................... 8 Updated Information .................................................................................................................. 8 Complacency ............................................................................................................................. 8 Subjects Covered by This Recertification Course ........................................................................... 9 Your Role as a School Bus Driver ................................................................................................... 9 Safety ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Efficiency ................................................................................................................................. 10 Caring ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Legal Basis .............................................................................................................................. 10 Course Pretest ............................................................................................................................... 11 Module 2 .................................................................................................................................. 11 Module 3 .................................................................................................................................. 12 Module 4 .................................................................................................................................. 13 Module 5 .................................................................................................................................. 14 Module 6 .................................................................................................................................. 15 Module 7 .................................................................................................................................. 16 Module 8 .................................................................................................................................. 17 Module 2—Know the Laws ........................................................................ 19 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 19 Topics Covered in This Module ............................................................................................... 19 Commercial Driver Licenses .......................................................................................................... 19 Who Can Drive a School Bus? ...................................................................................................... 20 Continuing as a School Bus Driver ................................................................................................ 21 Penalty Point System ..................................................................................................................... 21 How It Works ........................................................................................................................... 21 Assessing Points ..................................................................................................................... 22 Driving Record Evaluation ....................................................................................................... 22 Mandatory Disqualifications ..................................................................................................... 23 Disqualification ........................................................................................................................ 23 Reporting Requirements .......................................................................................................... 24 Tobacco and Firearms ................................................................................................................... 24 Laws Concerning Alcohol and Drug Use ....................................................................................... 24 Federal Law Concerning Alcohol and Drug Use ..................................................................... 25 Federally Mandated Drug and Alcohol Testing Program ........................................................ 26 Speed Limits .................................................................................................................................. 27 Seat Belt Use ................................................................................................................................. 28 Texas School Bus Driver Recertification Course: Participant Handbook Page 1 Table of Contents Emergency Practices ..................................................................................................................... 28 The Good Samaritan Law ........................................................................................................ 28 Patient Consent ....................................................................................................................... 28 Abandonment .......................................................................................................................... 28 District Policy ........................................................................................................................... 29 Module 3—Bus Basics .............................................................................. 31 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 31 Topics Covered in This Module ............................................................................................... 31 School Bus Classifications ............................................................................................................. 31 School Bus Types .................................................................................................................... 32 Required Equipment ...................................................................................................................... 33 Using Mirrors .................................................................................................................................. 34 Mirror Adjustment .................................................................................................................... 34 Depth Perception ........................................................................................................................... 38 Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection ............................................................................................................. 38 Walking Inspection .................................................................................................................. 39 Under the Hood ....................................................................................................................... 39 Inside the Bus .......................................................................................................................... 40 Outside the Bus ....................................................................................................................... 41 Equipment Inspection .............................................................................................................. 41 Gauge Levels........................................................................................................................... 41 Post-trip Inspection ........................................................................................................................ 44 Module 4—Defensive Driving..................................................................... 45 Overview .......................................................................................................................................