Senators are teaming up to tackle the national problem of school bus driver shortages, a move that could streamline the process of becoming a school bus driver. Introduced by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the Driving Forward Act aims to permanently remove a major roadblock for prospective school bus drivers. Specifically, the legislation is designed to exempt new drivers from a commercial driver's license (CDL) testing requirement known as the "Under-the-Hood" inspection.
Senator Kelly commented on the necessity of the act, stating, "Kids in Arizona deserve to get to school safe and on time." He believes that the bipartisan bill will cut through the red tape and help quickly address driver shortages. His sentiment was echoed by Senator Cornyn, who highlighted that "it is essential that they have safe and reliable transportation to their schools." According to a statement obtained by the senator's press release, they hope to remove an "antiquated and unnecessary obstacle to their certification."
The issue is particularly pressing as the number of school bus drivers has dramatically declined. Before 2020, Arizona alone had 8,400 school bus drivers, a number that has now plummeted to less than half. The current standards require potential drivers to pass a test that's more relevant for long-haul trucking, involving an additional three to four days of training to identify engine parts and functions under the bus hood — a requirement deemed excessive for drivers whose primary job is to transport students safely rather than maintain vehicles.
In explaining the rationale behind the exemption, Senator Baldwin asserted, "Children in Wisconsin and across the country should be able to take the bus and get to school safely and on time." Senator Blackburn also noted that the school bus driver shortage "poses a threat to student safety and access to reliable transportation for students across Tennessee." As stated in the press release, by extending the current under-the-hood test exemption, the Driving Forward Act looks to get more qualified individuals into the driver’s seat.
It is important to note that the exemption from this specific testing requirement is not to have an impact on the overall safety of school bus operations. Mechanics, not drivers, are still tasked with performing any necessary roadside diagnostics and repairs. Additionally, federal and local vehicle maintenance and safety standards remain in effect.
The Driving Forward Act has received endorsements from several organizations, including the National School Transportation Association and the National Association for Pupil Transportation. Companion legislation is also being led in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Carter (R-TX-31). The combined efforts demonstrate a bipartisan push to ensure children’s access to safe and reliable transportation to school continues to be a priority on the national agenda.
