School Vehicle Drivers and Licensing Requirements

ADM 14.1

An individual who drives a school vehicle must pass an appropriate medical examination and must have a Commercial Driver’s License endorsed Passenger Vehicle. The medical examination includes drug and alcohol testing.

Purpose:

• To ensure the safety of the students.

• To comply with the regulations of the Federal Highway Administration.

Commentary/Procedural Points:

• Testing includes post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing and follow-up testing for drug and alcohol use, as well as pre-employment testing for drug use.

• Driver includes, but is not limited to full time, part-time, regularly employed driver; casual, intermittent or occasional driver, leased drivers and independent, owner operator contractors who are either directly employed by or under lease to an employer or who operates a commercial motor vehicle at the direction of or with the consent of an employer. The employer of the driver(s) is responsible for fulfilling the requirements of the law.

• Employer means any person who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle or assigns persons to operate such a vehicle. The employer is responsible for complying with the law.

• Principals must annually run a driving record for bus drivers employed directly by the school. If the driver has more than 3 or more points in Maryland or an out-of-state conviction, he/she is not allowed to drive for the school.

References:

• VIRTUS

August 4, 2022