Pennsylvania § 1509 - Qualifications for school bus driver endorsement.

§ 1509. Qualifications for school bus driver endorsement.

(a) School bus driver requirements.--No person shall be issued an endorsement to operate a school bus unless the person:

(1) has successfully completed a course of instruction as provided in subsection (c);

(2) has satisfactorily passed a physical examination to be given in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated and adopted by the department;

(3) is 18 years of age or older; and

(4) is qualified to operate school buses in accordance with this title and the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted by the department.

(b) Proof of physical and vision examination.--

(1) Every school bus driver shall carry a certificate issued by an examining physician or practitioner recognized by the department pursuant to section 1508.1 (relating to physical examinations), indicating that the person has passed the prescribed physical examination, including an examination of the eyes, within the preceding 13 months. The vision examination may be made by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

(2) The physical examination may include a hearing test subject to this subsection. A person who requires the use of a hearing aid must undergo a hearing test to ensure that the hearing aid is properly functioning in a manner that allows the person to meet the department's minimum hearing standards. The department may not require an electroacoustic analysis test report of a person's hearing aid to determine whether the hearing aid meets the manufacturer's specifications if the hearing test determines that the hearing aid is functioning in a manner that allows the person to meet the department's minimum hearing standards.

(c) School bus driver training program.--The department shall establish standards for a basic course and a refresher course for school bus drivers. The courses shall be conducted by school districts or groups of school districts or any State or Federal transportation association of school bus operators designated by the school district on a continuing basis, with the costs and responsibility for completion of the training to be borne by the school district or private or parochial school for which the drivers operate.

(May 30, 1990, P.L.173, No.42, eff. Nov. 1, 1990; Dec. 10, 1996, P.L.925, No.149, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2015, P.L.199, No.49, eff. 60 days; June 27, 2025, P.L.5, No.4, eff. 60 days)

2025 Amendment. Act 4 amended subsec. (b).

2015 Amendment. Act 49 amended subsecs. (a) and (b).

Cross References. Section 1509 is referred to in section 1550 of this title.