Congress·In Committee·S. 1284

School Bus Drivers: Permanent Exemption for Engine Inspections

Driving Forward Act

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Law

Key Points

This bill makes it easier for people to become school bus drivers by removing a specific part of the commercial driver's license test. It permanently gets rid of the 'under-the-hood' engine inspection requirement, which many potential drivers found difficult or unnecessary.
The goal is to help fix the national shortage of school bus drivers. Supporters of the change argue that drivers do not need to know how to inspect engine parts like belts and hoses because school districts usually have professional mechanics to handle all engine maintenance and repairs.
States that decide to use this new rule will have to keep track of their progress. For the next six years, they must send an annual report to the Department of Transportation showing exactly how many new drivers were licensed under this specific exemption.
This action turns a temporary rule into a permanent law. It follows a 2024 decision by the Department of Transportation to allow this shortcut as a way to help schools get more buses on the road and ensure students have reliable transportation to class.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Apr 3, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 2360Related bill

To permanently extend the exemption from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement for school bus drivers, and for other purposes.

Mar 26 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.