§ 6-19-108 — Bus drivers - Certification

(a) (1) An applicant seeking employment as a driver or an operator of a school bus, either privately or publicly owned, is required to take and pass a series of tests as prescribed by the Division of Arkansas State Police under § 27-23-108 and the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to determine the physical fitness and driving ability to serve as a school bus driver. (2) The tests shall include: (A) A physical examination given by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse for school bus drivers, as required by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation; (B) Other requirements as may be prescribed by rules issued jointly by the Division of Arkansas State Police and the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for qualifications and fitness of school bus drivers; and (C) A successfully completed standard bus driver training and preservice behind-the-wheel training program as prescribed by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. (b) (1) Upon successful completion and documentation of the training described in subdivision (a)(2)(C) of this section, the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall certify the applicant as a school bus driver for a one-year period. (2) Certification as a school bus driver by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation may be renewed annually. (c) (1) A school bus driver shall not be employed as an operator of a school bus to transport children to and from school or school-sponsored activities unless he or she is certified as a school bus driver by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation and has satisfactorily completed the in-service training required in subsection (d) of this section. (2) Certification as a bus driver by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall be required in addition to a commercial driver's license and any additional qualifications required by the school district board of directors. (d) A school bus driver who seeks annual renewal of his or her bus driver certification shall provide proof that he or she has satisfactorily: (1) Passed a physical examination given by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse within the previous two (2) years; and (2) Completed in-service training for school bus drivers as prescribed by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. (e) A school district board of directors may provide a substitute driver to operate a school bus on a temporary basis without certification until the next regularly scheduled school bus driver's examination is held in the locality if: (1) A certified school bus driver is not available to operate the school bus due to death, resignation, disability, illness, or other cause; and (2) The school district board of directors is not able to obtain a certified school bus driver. (f) Extracurricular trips shall be made by certified drivers only. (g) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2021, No. 126,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021. Acts 1963, No. 191, §§ 1-4, 6; 1965, No. 449, § 1; 1985, No. 757, §§ 3, 4; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1821 -- 80-1825; Acts 2005, No. 1327, §§ 4, 5; 2005, No. 1994, § 196; 2009, No. 1473, § 6.