La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXIII-503

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CXIII-503 - Pre-service Training

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.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXIII-503

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 25:631 (April 1999), amended LR 36:1469 (July 2010), LR 37:2123 (July 2011).

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