New Jersey

School bus in-service

REQUIRED twice per calendar year

Citation: N.J.A.C. 6A:27-11.3(b); N.J.S.A. 18A:39-19.1a

Employers (boards of education, CTSAs, contractors) must administer a safety education program for ALL permanent and substitute school bus drivers and aides twice per calendar year (N.J.A.C. 6A:27-11.3(b)); required content includes student management, accident/emergency procedures, evacuation drills, loading/unloading, loading-zone safety, checking for students left on board, and student-records privacy, with drivers additionally trained in defensive driving and railroad crossing procedures (6A:27-11.3(c)). It is content-based, not hour-based. Oversight is by the NJDOE Office of School Bus Safety; drivers/aides must also complete the Commissioner-developed students-with-disabilities training before serving, with certifications filed with the executive county superintendent (6A:27-11.3(d), per N.J.S.A. 18A:39-19.2 and 19.3).

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CDL & endorsements

CDL renewal cycle: every 4 years.

No general CDL continuing-education requirement beyond renewal; NJ CDLs are valid 4 years (issued by NJMVC; school bus work requires P and S endorsements).

Hazmat: Standard TSA security threat assessment (federal 5-year max) via TSA universal enrollment; because NJ's CDL cycle is 4 years, the hazmat endorsement is revalidated on the shorter license cycle.

• School bus aides are covered by the same twice-yearly safety education program (N.J.A.C. 6A:27-11.3(b))
• Students-with-disabilities training program required before driving/serving, with certification retained and forwarded to the executive county superintendent (N.J.A.C. 6A:27-11.3(d); N.J.S.A. 18A:39-19.2, 19.3)
• Drivers and aides must participate in twice-yearly school bus emergency exit drills (N.J.A.C. 6A:27-11.2)