Legislative Affairs

  • 1.  USED/DOT Temporary Action to Help Address School Bus Driver Shortages

    Posted 01-12-2022 09:30

    Last week, the US. Departments of Education (USED) and Transportation (DOT) announced a new flexibility that is available to states to help alleviate school bus driver shortages. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) is giving states the option to waive a portion of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test that requires applicants to identify the "under the hood" engine components. This waiver expires March 31, 2022, but we expect this waiver will be extended for an additional 90 days to help school districts for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. As ASBO International and AASA advocate on this issue together, we will continue to share updates with members.

    Additional information:

    FMSCA Announcement: Waiver of Certain Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Skills Test Requirements for Certain School Bus Drivers

    AASA Blog: USED Announces Joint Temporary Action with US Department of Transportation to Help Address School Bus Driver Labor Shortage

    For more information about how ASBO International and AASA are advocating with USED/DOT to alleviate driver shortages, read the advocacy letter we sent to lawmakers here



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    ASBO USA
    asbousa@asbointl.org
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  • 2.  RE: USED/DOT Temporary Action to Help Address School Bus Driver Shortages

    Posted 03-31-2022 15:19
    In January, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Transportation (DOT) provided temporary waiver for states concerning "under the hood" requirements to help alleviate school bus driver shortages. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allowed a 90-day flexibility for states to have the option to waive a portion of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test that requires applicants to identify the "under the hood" engine components.

    That initial waiver was originally set to expire March 31, but has been extended another 90 days and will remain in place for the duration of this school year, through June 30, 2022. Learn more from FMSCA here.

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    ASBO USA
    asbousa@asbointl.org
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  • 3.  RE: USED/DOT Temporary Action to Help Address School Bus Driver Shortages

    Posted 07-20-2022 09:59
    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced that it would again extend its temporary "under the hood" waiver to help alleviate school bus driver shortages. The flexibility allows states to continue to forego the engine compartment component of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test, also known as "under the hood," for commercial driver's license applicants. This flexibility was originally supposed to expire June 30, 2022 but has now been extended through September 30, 2022. 

    For more information, please read these articles:
    https://www.busandmotorcoachnews.com/fmcsa-extends-waiver-of-under-the-hood-test-for-peak-hiring-season/ 
    https://stnonline.com/news/fmcsa-extends-under-the-hood-waiver-again-for-peak-hiring-season/

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    ASBO USA
    asbousa@asbointl.org
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  • 4.  RE: USED/DOT Temporary Action to Help Address School Bus Driver Shortages

    Posted 12-06-2022 15:46
    Edited by ASBO USA 12-06-2022 15:51
    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it is once again extending its optional state waiver for commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants seeking a school bus endorsement from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test requirement (aka the "under-the-hood" testing requirement). The exemption is available to states from November 27, 2022 through November 27, 2024.

    Learn more about the announcement in this Federal Register Notice and this news article.

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    ASBO USA
    asbousa@asbointl.org
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