Students will acquire another employable skill—a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements along with South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) School Bus Driver Certification.
There is a high demand for CDL drivers in South Carolina and across the United States. Completing this program can lead to a good paying job in the transportation industry and can potentially help relieve a district’s school bus driver shortage before and after students graduate.
This training is provided at no charge to the student.
The SCDE School Bus Driver Training Curriculum is designed to meet all Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) and SCDE requirements as well as assisting candidates prepare for the written exams they will take at the DMV to acquire a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) and the driving tests they will take for their CDL and SCDE School Bus Driver certification.
Students will receive training that meets the ELDT requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This includes classroom (theory) training and behind-the-wheel (skills) training in the following areas:
• Class B CDL
• Passenger Transport
• School Bus
Students will also be enrolled in the SCDE School Bus Driver Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Training and Testing Curriculum which—when completed—will allow them to operate a school bus or activity bus in South Carolina.
While drivers must be 18 years old to acquire a CLP and a CDL, they can complete ELDT theory requirements prior to reaching the age of 18 as long as they pass their CDL driving test within 12 months of completing ELDT theory training.
To participate, students must:
• Have a valid driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.
• Have no more than four points on their current driving record, and no more four points within the past year.
Prior to taking tests at the DMV for their CLP, participants must pass a physical examination that meets the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), 49 C.F.R. 391.41, and which is conducted by a certified medical examiner as defined in 49 C.F.R. 390.5. Before any behind the wheel training begins, candidates will be required to submit to and pass a drug test which meets all state and federal requirements for testing Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers. They will remain covered by a substance abuse testing program throughout training and any CMV-related employment after earning their CDL.
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