Commercial vehicles: School bus resources
School bus drivers and transportation providers can find training manuals, test and certification preparation, pre-trip inspection forms and other important documents relating to school bus operation on this page.
School bus required registration forms
All school buses must have the required pre-registration certificate.
Find other required registration forms at Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services.
Driver training
Anyone looking to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time or looking to upgrade a CDL will be required to meet the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements found in 49 CFR 380 subparts F and G. You can learn more on the training guide document.
Manual /media/9029
Download a copy of the School bus driver training manual.
Study materials
The following documents prepare you for the test.
School bus driver certification (CDL)
School bus drivers must be certified annually. This is accomplished by assessing them using the appendices below. These documents are required to be maintained in driver training files for each individual driver of Type A, B, C or D school buses. Following the first year of assessments the district may utilize "Option Two" to document the annual training. The PDF forms may be completed and saved electronically, or printed and handwritten.
Option One: Driver Evaluations
- Appendix E surveys : These forms are intended for use on a three-year cycle (i.e., year one is cycle three, year two is cycle two, and so on).
Option Two: Eight Hour Training
A driver may receive at least eight hours of school bus in-service training any year, as an alternative to being assessed after the initial year of being assessed for bus driver competencies.
Type III school bus training information
The following documents are recommended resources to aid in the annual training and certification of the operator as outlined in Minnesota Statute 171.02, sub 2b.
- Type III school bus driver and pre-trip planning (Requires Microsoft PowerPoint to view)
The following forms are recommended when completing evaluations of drivers who operate only Type III vehicles. They may be printed and handwritten or completed and saved electronically.
School transportation providers
The following documents give information on the process for hiring a school bus driver and the process for becoming a Type III school transportation provider.
- Hiring a school bus driver
- Criminal history checks: When completing the affidavit to obtain a temporary school bus endorsement, you must use a vendor with an active license from the Private Detective and Protective Agents Board. View the current license holder list.
Pre-trip inspection forms
Carriers can use the following example forms fulfill the requirements of Minnesota Rule 7470.1300.
School bus pre-trip inspection forms
Type III school bus pre-trip inspection forms
Post-crash reporting and testing
Buses require inspections after certain incidents. The following flowcharts show information about when your bus will require an inspection and or driver testing after a vehicle accident.
Driver training file documents
Drivers can print and complete the following documents to fulfill the requirements of Minnesota Stat. 171.321.
- Driver training file requirements
- Notification to employer of driving violation — CDL holder
- Notification to employer of suspension, revocation, cancelation or disqualification — CDL holder
- Notification to employer of driving violation — Type III School Bus Driver
- School bus driver applicant affidavit
- Driver criminal records check authorization