Driver Qualification for School Drivers

Schools have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their students and the public by hiring safe drivers. One of the best ways to do this is to establish firm driver qualification criteria. Part of this criteria should include a motor vehicle records review for all potential drivers and an annual review for all current drivers.

Driver Criteria

Formal hiring guidelines are crucial to ensure every driver has been vetted properly and consistently. EMC recommends the following minimum requirements:

• At least 21 years old
• At least three years of licensed driving experience
• Is physically and mentally competent
• Has a driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle to be driven
• Satisfactory MVR review and background checks

Check the MVR

Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Checking your drivers’ MVRs can reveal any types of moving violations as well as insurance lapses, license revocations and DUI charges. Drivers who habitually speed, tailgate, fail to use equipment properly or who have a history of vehicle accidents are statistically more likely to be involved in future preventable accidents.

All school drivers should have their MVRs reviewed before they drive a school vehicle and annually thereafter. Besides bus drivers, be sure to review the MVRs of any coaches, teachers or other district staff who drive a vehicle as part of their job.

When reviewing a driver’s MVR, look for the following:

• Has not been convicted of any of the following violations within the previous five years:
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Open container violations
  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit
  • Vehicular manslaughter
  • Using a vehicle to commit a felony
  • Hit and run/leaving the scene of an accident
  • Fleeing/eluding police or resisting arrest
  • Operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license
  • Passing a stopped school bus
  • Railroad crossing violation
• Has not experienced any of the following within the previous three years:
  • Two at fault accidents
  • Three moving violations
  • Two moving violations and one at fault accident
  • Tested positive for drugs or alcohol while employed by the district

Your state may have additional requirements, so be sure to check the legal requirements for your state.

What to do if an MVR is Unacceptable

Drivers should be immediately suspended if they have an unacceptable MVR. Notify the employee that they cannot drive a school vehicle until their MVR becomes acceptable. Make sure your employees know they are expected to maintain a driving record that reflects good driving habits. They should also know they are expected to immediately report any citations or revocations to their supervisor.

Get Help from EMC

EMC has partnered with SuperVision to offer EMC policyholders a discounted rate on a driver monitoring program. If you subscribe, you’ll receive an alert any time one of your drivers receives a violation, even those occurring during nonwork hours or in a personal vehicle. For just a few dollars per driver per month, you’ll be able to stay on top of all violations for all of your driving employees.