Maine Regulations Regarding Transportation Safety Training
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Title 29-A, Section 2303.4. Specific to transportation training for school bus drivers and transportation staff, Title 29-A, Section 2303.4 notes the following: “The Department of Education shall, within available resources, develop, certify and administer regional school bus driver training programs and assist administrative units in school bus safety and driver training.”
Maine Department of Education Title 20-A, Section 5401. Specific to transportation safety, Title 20-A notes the following: “Transportation provided shall conserve the comfort, safety and welfare of the students conveyed. A responsible driver shall be in charge of the vehicle and shall have control over the conduct of the students while they are transported.”
Code of Maine Regulations (05-071 CMR Chap. 81). Specific to transportation training, the Rule notes the following: “At least once during each school semester, totaling two times per year, each student transported to or from home and school and school related events in a school bus shall participate in supervised school bus emergency evacuation drills.”
National School Transportation Procedures Regarding School Bus Safety Training
National Congress on School Transportation National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures Manual. Specific to training, the manual includes the following: “Prior to transporting students, bus drivers should be required to complete a state-approved pre-service training program that includes classroom and behind-the-wheel training to enable safe and efficient vehicle operation. Prior to transporting students with disabilities, the driver should receive appropriate training in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Drivers of Head Start passengers must fulfill pre-service and in-service training requirements, as specified in 45 CFR 1310...The transportation system should arrange at regular intervals for pre-service and in-service training for maintenance and service personnel, and maintenance personnel should be required or encouraged to attend state-sponsored or other approved workshops or training institutes.” See the manual for more details.
Other Training Resources
- School Bus Driver Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) FAQs from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- School Bus Driver In-Service Safety Series by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- School Bus Driver Online Federal, National, and State Training Resources for local school transportation teams. Most resources are free.
- Training Provider Registry (TPR) from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration compliance date February 7, 2022.
Regional Safety Conferences for Maine School Transportation Professionals
Funded by the Maine Department of Education, supported by the Maine State Police, and delivered by the Maine Association of Pupil Transportation is presented each April and June. It includes classroom training and the regional bus driver competition.
Regional Conference Dates and Locations
- Southern Area (Zone 1) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
- Mid Coast Area (Zone 2) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
- Central Area (Zone 3) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
- Western Area (Zone 4) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
- Northern Area (Zone 5) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
- Down East Area (Zone 6) typically occurs in April during school vacation. Location: Typically occurs at local area school.
For more information visit www.maptme.org/conferences.
State Safety Conference for Maine School Transportation Professionals
Funded by the Maine Department of Education, supported by the Maine State Police, and delivered by the Maine Association of Pupil Transportation is presented each July. It includes classroom training presented by national and state subject matter experts, a bus driver competition, transportation software training, mechanic classes, a special needs transport competition, and vendor displays.
- Occurs annually during July and typically near the end of the month. For more information visit www.maptme.org/conferences
Transportation Security Training
School key personnel are required to complete four courses in order for an individual or organization to be considered U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Incident Management (NIMS) compliant. NIMS courses are available free online. Contact your County Emergency Management Agency Director if you have questions. Here are the four course links and the courses must be completed in the following order:
- IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System. ICS 100 (update 6/25/18)
- IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response (update 3/11/19)
- IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (update 6/25/18)
- IS-800.C: National Response Framework, an Introduction (update 3/27/18)
Transfinder Transportation Operations Software Training
- Transfinder Website
- Webinar training available 24/7 - no cost
- Classroom training available for 3 days every June at the School Transportation State Safety Conference - no cost
- Transfinder professional development series available annually on site at Transfinder, fee primarily covers hotel and meals
- Transfinder certification available annually, fee primarily covers hotel and meals