School Bus Drivers

Publications: 
Maine Commercial Driver License Manual. Includes school bus driver’s section
Maine Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual. Includes school bus section

State Information:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the repeal of Code of Maine Regulations (05-071 CMR Chap. 82) School Bus Driver

Fitness Determination:
Information regarding commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL endorsements including for school bus operation is available on the following Bureau of Motor Vehicle websites:

Federal Information:
Entry Level Driver Training  (ELDT) is a new law from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  The compliance date of the ELDT is February 7, 2020 (see below for proposed ELDT partial extension of compliance date).  Both school bus drivers and school districts must be ready for implementation of the new law.  We strongly recommend that you begin planning early by first reading the Final Rule and FAQs.

  • ELDT Federal web page.  This page is updated as new information is available.  Click on the FAQ dropdown in the Federal web page link for information specific to drivers, commercial learner's permit holders applicability, state driver's licensing agencies, training providers, curriculum/program requirements, and negotiated rulemaking. 
  • ELDT Final Rule  
  • ELDT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)   
  • ELDT partial extension of compliance date for entry-level driving training.  This is a July 18, 2019 PROPOSED rule (waiting for final decision) by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  FMSCA proposes to amend its December 8, 2016, final rule, "Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations" (ELDT final rule), by extending the compliance date for two provisions from the rule.  The date for training providers to upload entry-level driver training (ELDT) certification information into the Training Provider Registry (TPR) and for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to receive driver-specific ELDT information would be extended from February 7, 2020, to February 7, 2022.  

Federal Physical Qualifications for Drivers. Link to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration physical qualifications for drivers.

Medical Examination Report Form (for Commercial Driver Medical Certification). Link to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration form MCSA-5875, expiration date: 8/31/2018.

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Link to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration national registry of certified medical examiners where you can look up the names of certified medical examiners by state.

Additional Resources:
CDL Self-Certification and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Reporting. Link to State of Maine Department of the Secretary of State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Military Skills Test Waiver Program for a commercial driver license (CDL) 

Application for Military Skills Test Waiver

Maine Commercial Driver License Manual. Published by the Maine Secretary of State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Overview of Drug and Alcohol Rules: What CDL Drivers Need to Know. Link to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations for drug and alcohol testing.

U.S. Department of Transportation. The mission of the Department is to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Formerly a part of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.