Penndot chapter 7

CHAPTER 71. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
Authority
The provisions of this Chapter 71 issued under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1509 and The provisions of this Chapter 71 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, Cross References
This chapter cited in 22 Pa. Code § 51.92 (relating to school bus operators); and 67 Pa. Code § 231.8 (relating to additions or modifications to 49 CFR). This chapter applies to the course of instruction and physical examination for school bus drivers required by 75 Pa.C.S. § 1509 (relating to qualifications for school bus driver endorsement). The provisions of this § 71.1 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended May 10, 1985, effective May 11, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 1750; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended November 26, 2003, effective November 29, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 5817. Immediately preceding text The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: CRNP—Certified registered nurse practitioner—A registered nurse licensed in this Commonwealth who is certified by the State Board of Nursing in a particular clinical specialty area and who, while functioning in the expanded role as a professional nurse, performs acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth. Chiropractor—A practitioner of chiropractic as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1508.1(b) (relating to Department—The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth. Driver’s examination—An examination to establish the ability of a person to drive, maneuver and control a school bus with safety and knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to the HbA1C test—A Hemoglobin A1C test monitors the long-term control of diabetes mellitus. Health care provider—A licensed physician, a CRNP, a physician assistant or a licensed psychologist, as described in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1519 (relating to determination of incompetency). Hyperglycemia—When the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high based on current guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemic reactions—Different degrees of hypoglycemia which are classified as follows: Mild—Hypoglycemia that signals a blood glucose drop, which the individual can self-correct Severe—Hypoglycemia that requires outside intervention or assistance of others or that produces confusion, loss of attention or a loss of consciousness. Physical examination—An examination, including an eye examination, given to determine the physical and mental fitness of a person to drive a school bus safely. Physician—A licensed physician as defined in § 83.2 (relating to definitions). Physician assistant—A person certified by the State Board of Medicine to assist a physician or group of physicians in the provision of medical care and services and under the supervision and direction of the physician or group of physicians. Pupil Transportation Section—The Pupil Transportation Section of the Bureau of Driver S endorsement—An endorsement which is added to a commercial driver’s license and which authorizes the driver to operate a school bus. School bus driver—A person who drives a school bus as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) or Chapter 171 (relating to school buses and school vehicles) except an owner or employee of an official inspection station driving the vehicle for the purpose of inspection. School transportation medical practitioner—A licensed physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner or chiropractor appointed or approved by a school board, or by the authorities responsible for operation of a private or parochial school. The same person may be appointed or approved as both school transportation medical practitioner and school Symptomatic hyperglycemia—High glucose levels in the blood that have caused a loss of consciousness or an altered state of perception, including, but not limited to, decreased reaction time, impaired vision or hearing, or both, or confusion. Type I Diabetes mellitus—A chronic disease caused by the pancreas producing too little insulin Type II Diabetes mellitus—A chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood caused by the body failing to respond correctly to natural insulin. Authority
The provisions of this § 71.2 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1508, The provisions of this § 71.2 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended August 10, 1979, effective August 11, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2638; amended May 10, 1985, effective May 11, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 1750; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 160; amended January 23, 1998, effective January 24, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 364; amended August 24, 2007, effective August 25, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 4621; amended October 8, 2010, effective October 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 5809. Immediately preceding text appears (a) General rule. A physical examination shall be given by a school transportation medical practitioner, a physician, a chiropractor, a CRNP or a physician assistant: (1) To every applicant for an S endorsement. (2) Annually, to every holder of an S endorsement. (b) Requirements of physical examination. A person is physically qualified to drive a school bus (1) Meets the following visual requirements: (i) Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in the better eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity corrected to 20/40 or better. (ii) Has at least 20/50 in the poorer eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity corrected (iii) Has distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective (iv) Has a combined field of vision of at least 160° in the horizontal meridian, excepting the (v) Has the ability to determine the colors used in traffic signals and devices showing (2) Has no loss of a foot, a leg, a hand, or an arm; or has been granted a waiver by the Department after competency has been demonstrated through a driving examination administered in accordance with § 71.4(b)(2) (ii) and (iii) (relating to driver’s examination). (i) A hand or finger likely to impair prehension or power grasping, or has been granted a waiver by the Department after competency has been demonstrated through a driving examination administered in accordance with § 71.4(b)(2)(ii) and (iii). (A) An arm, foot, or leg likely to impair the ability to perform normal tasks associated with (B) Another significant limb defect or limitation likely to impair the ability to perform normal tasks associated with driving a school bus. (C) Has been granted a waiver by the Department after competency has been demonstrated (4) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring use of insulin or other hypoglycemic medication. (i) A waiver may be granted to an individual requiring the use of diabetic medications provided the individual meets all of the following: (A) The individual’s health care provider verifies in writing that there has been no incident of a severe hypoglycemic reaction or symptomatic hyperglycemia and the individual has been free from insulin reaction resulting in loss of consciousness, attention or awareness or the requirement of assistance from another person, for the preceding 12 months. (B) The driver submits to a diabetic examination every 6 months, and submits the results of the examination and the results of an HbA1C test on a form provided by the Department. The healthcare provider reviewing the diabetic examination shall be familiar with the individual’s past diabetic history for 24 months or have access to that history and certify that the individual is (I) An individual who has had two consecutive HbA1C test results of greater than 8% as required in this clause shall undergo additional diabetic examinations every 3 months. The health care provider shall review the self monitoring blood glucose logs and report the highest and lowest blood glucose levels for that 3-month period and certify that the observed blood glucose levels are not suggestive of hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic driving impairment on a form (II) Once the results of two consecutive HbA1C tests required in this clause are 8% or less, the individual may discontinue the additional examinations and reporting required in (C) The driver submits to an annual dilated eye examination and submits the results of the examination on a form provided by the Department. (D) Individuals, upon hire to drive a school bus, shall manage their diabetes by complying (I) Self-monitor blood glucose 1 hour before driving, and at least every 4 hours while driving or while otherwise on duty, by using a portable blood glucose monitoring device with a computerized memory. If blood glucose is below 80 mg/dL or above 350 mg/dL the individual may not drive until appropriate measures are taken and the individual retests within this (II) Submit the computerized glucometer results of blood glucose self-monitoring for review by the treating health care provider or a school transportation medical practitioner. The results shall also be submitted to the health care provider conducting the diabetic examination (III) Maintaining a manual blood glucose monitoring log and submitting it, together with the glucose monitoring device’s computerized log, every 6 months to the health care provider conducting the 6-month diabetic examination. (IV) Carrying a source of rapidly absorbable glucose at all times while driving a school (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions in subparagraph (i), a waiver may be granted to an individual who has recently suffered from a severe hypoglycemic reaction or symptomatic hyperglycemia as long as the individual has been free from severe hypoglycemic reactions or symptomatic hyperglycemia for the preceding 12 months and the subsequent severe hypoglycemic reaction or symptomatic hyperglycemia occurred while the individual was under the care of a treating health care provider, during or concurrent with a nonrecurring transient illness, toxic ingestion or metabolic imbalance. This waiver will only be granted if the treating physician submits written certification indicating it is a temporary condition or isolated incident (iii) A reviewing health care provider finding that the individual previously qualified for a waiver is not complying with the requirements in subsection (b)(4)(i), or is otherwise no longer qualified for the waiver shall promptly report these findings to the Department and the waiver (iv) If the individual requiring the use of oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin does not qualify for a waiver, that individual may request an independent review of the individual’s medical records. The review will be conducted by a member of the Medical Advisory Board or by another physician designated by the Department. (v) Submissions to the Department by physicians or other health care providers, including physician verifications and the results of diabetic examinations, shall be made on forms provided (5) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency or pacemaker insertion. (i) Waivers may be granted to those individuals with a history of coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction, congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocarditis, chronic atrial flutter/fibrillation or valvular heart disease, and individuals who have undergone corrective surgery for congenital heart defects, coronary angioplasty, valve repair/replacement, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or ablative surgery for paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmias, if the individual annually meets these criteria: (A) The individual is asymptomatic from the disorder or is receiving medication used to treat the disorder and is asymptomatic on medication. (B) The individual completes seven Mets (metabolic equivalents) on a treadmill stress EKG (electrocardiogram) test preferably following the Bruce or Balke Protocols and achieves 85% of the predicted maximal heart rate without symptoms or EKG changes. If the resting EKG is abnormal, or the individual is on digoxin, then a stress thallium test should be performed. (C) An echo, gated blood pool scan or left ventriculogram performed on the individual measures a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or greater. (ii) In the case of a permanent pacemaker insertion, the individual shall be 2 months post insertion, asymptomatic and demonstrate that he is undergoing regular pacemaker follow up. (iii) In the case of chronic atrial flutter/fibrillation, the individual shall be on anticoagulant therapy with aspirin or Coumadin and demonstrate adequate rate control when exercising on a treadmill as listed in subparagraph (i)(B). (iv) Waivers may not be granted to individuals: (A) Diagnosed with symptomatic coronary artery disease (angina), cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocarditis, congenital or valvular heart disease. (B) Within 2 months of a myocardial infarction, open heart surgery or pacemaker insertion. (C) Implanted with an automatic cardioverter/defibrillators or antitachycardic device. (D) With any history of ventricular tachycardia (excluding couplets and triplets), ventricular fibrillation or sudden cardiac death with successful resuscitation. (E) With any history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. (F) With any history of carotid sinus hypersensitivity, sick sinus syndrome, second degree heart block or third degree heart block unless a pacemaker has been inserted. (6) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of other cardiovascular disease resulting in syncope, dyspnea, loss or impairment of consciousness, collapse, or congestive (7) Has no current clinical diagnosis of hypertension resulting in syncope, dyspnea, loss or impairment of consciousness, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure. (8) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely to impair the ability to drive a school bus safely. (9) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease likely to impair the ability to drive a school bus (10) Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of seizure disorders or another condition likely to cause loss or impairment of consciousness or loss of ability to drive a school (i) A waiver may be granted to these persons provided: (A) There has been no more than a single, nonrecurring episode of altered consciousness or loss of bodily control, occurring at least 2 years preceding application, which did not require (B) A seizure disorder has been diagnosed, but the person has been episode-free for at least 5 years preceding application and has not required treatment for at least 5 years preceding (11) Has no mental, emotional or psychiatric disorder whether functional or organic which may be manifested in a condition likely to impair the ability to drive a school bus safely, such as inattentiveness, despondency, aggressiveness, or lack of concern for the safety of self or others. (12) Has no hearing loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear, without a hearing aid, at frequencies of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz. (Reference American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 1969 for earphones: Dirks and others, Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, J.S.H.D. Vol. 44, 2/79, 34-54- in a sound field for warble tones). A person who is required to wear a hearing aid to meet the standards of this paragraph shall be tested by an audiologist or a licensed physician—M.D. or D.O.—who specializes in the treatment of otolaryngology. An audiologist is an individual who has a certificate of clinical competence in audiology awarded by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association or is licensed as an audiologist under the Speech-Language and Hearing Licensure Act (63 P. S. § § 1701—1719). The individual who performs the test shall certify that the person has passed the test. A person who requires a hearing aid to meet the requirements of this paragraph shall also: (i) Have a speech reception threshold of 40 decibels H. L. or better in the better ear with a hearing aid, as tested with speech presented in monaural direct mode—45° Azimuth to the right ear or 315° Azimuth to the left ear; reference 0 decibels H. L.=13 decibels S.P.L. for sound field (ii) Achieve a score of 60% or better in a speech discrimination test of phonetically balanced words. Presented at 50 decibels H. L. + 12 decibels S/N—Average sound levels plus background (B) Masking noise consisting of speech spectrum noise or white noise, which shall be presented in monaural indirect mode—45° Azimuth for left ear and 315° Azimuth for right ear. (iii) Wear the aid and keep it operational at all times when driving the school bus. (iv) Keep a good spare battery source on their person whenever driving the school bus. (v) Present, at the time of the hearing test, an electroacoustic analysis test report of the hearing aid which indicates that the aid meets manufacturer’s specifications. (13) Does not abuse alcohol or another drug or substance known to impair skill or functions which may be manifested in a condition such as inattentiveness, despondency, aggressiveness or lack of concern for the safety of self or others. (14) Has no type of tuberculosis in a transmittable stage and has taken the tuberculin test every 2 years as required by section 1418(b) of the Public School Code (24 P. S. § 14-1418(b)). (15) Has no other condition which in the opinion of the examining physician is likely to impair the ability to drive a school bus safely. (c) Physical examination certificate. The examining school transportation medical practitioner, physician, chiropractor, CRNP or physician assistant shall issue a certificate, valid for the ensuing year, to every driver who passes a physical examination. (1) A certificate shall become void if a condition occurs which would have disqualified the (2) A school bus driver whose certificate becomes void may request a re-examination. (3) The original of the physical examination form or a copy or photocopy executed by the doctor and driver shall be forwarded to the Pupil Transportation Section. (d) Additional requirements. Every school bus driver shall: (1) Comply with local school district policies regarding communicable diseases and 28 Pa. Code Chapter 27 (relating to communicable and noncommunicable diseases). (2) Consume no alcoholic beverage or controlled substance within 8 hours in advance of and (e) Application for waiver. Application for waiver under this section may be obtained from the Department at the time of application for a school bus driver endorsement or thereafter. Authority
The provisions of this § 71.3 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1508, The provisions of this § 71.3 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended April 11, 1980, effective April 12, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 1542; amended May 24, 1985, effective May 11, 1985, provided that subsection (b)(12) shall possess a sunset of 3 years after the date of adoption, 15 Pa.B. 1918; subsection (b)(12) readopted May 20, 1988, effective May 11, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 2301; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 160; amended January 23, 1998, effective January 24, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 364; amended November 26, 2003, effective November 29, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 5817; amended August 24, 2007, effective August 25, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 4621; amended October 8, 2010, effective October 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 5809. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (329367) to (329372) (a) General rule. The examinations required by § § 75.4—75.6, 75.23 and 75.26—75.28 will be given by the Department or an authorized agent to every applicant for an S endorsement. (b) Recertification examination. The recertification skills evaluation will be given by the Department or an authorized agent to every holder of an S endorsement every 4 years. (1) The recertification skills evaluation shall be administered by one of the following methods: (i) An on-road instructor shall evaluate the driving skills in conjunction with the completion of the required 3 hours of on-road training. The instructor shall certify on a form provided by the Department that the driver has demonstrated proficiency in the driving skills provided in (ii) An on-road instructor or third party tester shall evaluate the driving skills during a regular bus run with students on board. The instructor or third party tester shall certify on a form provided by the Department that the driver has demonstrated proficiency in the driving skills (iii) An on-road instructor or third party tester shall complete the recertification skills evaluation as a school bus, safety-specific skills test. The instructor or third party tester shall certify on a form provided by the Department that the driver has demonstrated proficiency in the driving skills provided in paragraph (2). (iv) A Department driver license examiner shall complete the recertification skills evaluation as a school bus, safety-specific skills test. The driver license examiner shall certify on a form provided by the Department that the driver has demonstrated proficiency in the driving skills (2) The recertification skills evaluation shall be administered in three parts: a safety inspection, a basic skills test and an on-road driving test. The entire examination shall be administered. If the driver fails a portion of the test, the driver may return on another day and retake only that portion which the driver failed. (i) The safety inspection shall be the first part of the recertification skills evaluation. The driver will be given one point for each item that is correctly inspected. A passing score is 12 or more correctly inspected items. Inability to correctly perform the air brake check in clause (M) will result in automatic failure of this portion. The driver shall check the following safety (D) Identification and side marker lights. (L) Portable emergency warning devices. (O) Tires and the emergency door warning sound. (ii) The basic skills test shall be the second part of the recertification skills evaluation. The test will consist of two exercises. The driver’s score will be based on the number of errors committed in each exercise. An accumulation of three errors or more in either exercise will constitute a failed test. Inability to perform clause (A)(III), (V), (VII) or (X) will result in automatic failure of this portion. The exercises are: (A) Simulated or actual student discharge.
(I) 150'—300' activate amber warning lights. (III) Come to a complete stop, apply emergency brake, transmission in neutral. (IV) Open door slightly, activating red lights and stop arm. (VII) Check all mirrors around vehicle for students. (VIII) Shut door—deactivate red lights. (IX) Check mirrors, put transmission in gear; release brake. (X) Check child safety, recheck mirrors and proceed. (B) Simulated or actual railroad crossing. (I) While approaching, activate 4-way hazard lights. (II) Stop between 15'—50' from nearest rail. (III) Apply parking brake, transmission in neutral. (VII) If clear, put in gear and release parking brake. (VIII) Proceed across tracks without shifting gears. (IX) Deactivate 4-way hazard lights after crossing tracks. (iii) The on-road driving test shall be the third part of the recertification skills evaluation. The driver’s score will be based on the number of errors committed during the test. An accumulation of 11 errors or more will constitute a failed test. An automatic failure will occur if the driver commits any traffic offense, runs over a curb or sidewalk, or causes an accident. Evaluation and scoring will be based on maneuvers which shall include the following: (A) Driving and demonstrating stopping and starting a minimum of two times. (B) Driving and executing left and right turns a minimum of two times. (C) Driving and demonstrating merging into traffic from a stop sign or yield sign. (D) Demonstrating driving ability at an intersection a minimum of two times. (E) Demonstrating driving ability in the local area. (F) Demonstrating general driving behavior. (c) Application for examination. Application for a driver’s examination shall be made on a form (d) Additional examination. An additional examination will be given upon request of a person who fails a driver’s examination or recertification skills evaluation. A school bus driver who fails a recertification skills evaluation three times shall surrender the S endorsement to the person conducting the examination. An applicant who fails a driver’s examination three times shall surrender his permit to the person conducting the examination. (e) Reinstatement. A school bus driver whose S endorsement has been invalidated or suspended shall undergo and successfully pass a driver’s examination before the S endorsement is Authority
The provisions of this § 71.4 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1509 The provisions of this § 71.4 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended March 23, 1979, effective July 1, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 1073; amended May 10, 1985, effective May 11, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 1750; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended May 25, 1990, effective May 26, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2767; amended January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 160. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (150695) to (150696). Cross References
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 71.3 (relating to physical examination). (a) Administration. Courses of instruction established by the Department shall be administered by the local public school district or intermediate unit and shall be made available to public and private, including parochial, school bus drivers within the boundaries of the public school district (b) Instructors. Qualifications of instructors includes the following: (1) Course instructors shall possess a certificate of instruction issued by the Department. (2) Instructors may be employes of the public school district or intermediate unit or a school (c) Learning drivers. Courses of instruction for learning drivers shall include the following: (1) An applicant to whom an S endorsement learner’s permit is issued shall undergo a 10-hour course of instruction consisting of 7 hours of classroom instruction and 3 hours of vehicle familiarity and driving instruction before driving a school bus carrying school children. On completion of the 10-hour course, the person shall be eligible to take a driver’s examination administered by the Department. On successfully passing the driver’s examination, the applicant (2) Within 120 days of receiving an S endorsement, a school bus driver shall undergo a supplemental 10-hour course of instruction consisting of 7 hours of classroom instruction and 3 hours of vehicle familiarity and driving instruction. The course instructor shall notify the Department when a driver has completed the 10-hour course. If the notification is not received by the Department within 150 days of the date of the issuance of the S endorsement, the Department will suspend the S endorsement until notification is received. (d) Review course. In addition to the training provided for in subsection (c), a holder of an S endorsement shall undergo a 10-hour course of instruction, consisting of 7 hours of classroom instruction and 3 hours of vehicle familiarity and driving, every 4 years. (e) Driver’s list. The public school district or intermediate unit conducting the courses of instruction shall furnish to the Department a list of the drivers who successfully complete the course. The list shall contain the intermediate unit or private or parochial school employing the driver, the type of course and the date the course was completed. (f) Forms. Necessary forms will be provided by the Department. Authority
The provisions of this § 71.5 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1509 The provisions of this § 71.5 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended through August 10, 1979, effective August 11, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2638; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 160. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (150696) to (150697). A school bus driver knowledge examination will be given by the Department to every applicant for an S endorsement and, every 4 years, to a holder of an S endorsement. The examination shall consist of 25 questions taken from the most recent edition of the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Manual. Eighty percent of the questions answered correctly is a passing grade. Authority
The provisions of this § 71.6 issued under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1509 and The provisions of this § 71.6 adopted January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B.

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