Feds ease requirements for school bus drivers as states deal with shortages
Federal transportation officials on Tuesday announced a plan to ease licensure requirements for school bus drivers in an attempt to relieve driver shortages in Florida and other states.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which develops licensing standards for commercial drivers, has temporarily changed a portion of the licensing test for bus drivers.
The waiver, which went into effect Monday, will continue through March 31.
School staff shortages, including a lack of bus drivers, could be addressed by Florida lawmakers during the legislative session that will start next week. Rep. Andrew Learned, D-Brandon, filed a bill (HB 1017) that would require school superintendents to identify positions within districts that have at least 20 percent of jobs vacant. The proposal would require districts, once shortages are identified, to “fund incentives to help recruit and retain educational support employees” in those positions, subject to funding from the Legislature.