2023 School Bus CDL Exam Surge!
In response to Maine’s ongoing school bus driver shortage, Maine BMV convened a working group with multiple school districts, Cyr Bus lines, the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT), and Maine’s Department of Education (DOE).
As an outcome of those discussions, Maine BMV will hold two “surge” events to help school bus applicants accomplish their skills/road exams, and provide a single rapid re-test opportunity if needed.
Locations and dates were selected by the working group, and were chosen to avoid other key summer activities in the school bus community. Examiners will “surge” to conduct up to 15 daily exams during the first 2 days at each site.
BMV will distribute, via MAPT and DOE, final process instructions by 5 June.
For schedules and more information.
EPA School Bus Electrification Partnership
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that to support school bus electrification it has partnered with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Beneficial Electrification League (BEL) to work with school districts to facilitate communication between electric providers and school districts; provide technical support and assistance; and work together to increase funding and deployment.
Additional information can be found here: Electric Sector Pledge to Support School Bus Electrification – Pledge (February 8, 2023) (epa.gov)
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- It Takes a Whole Village
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School transportation is about planning over the life cycle of the fleet. To ensure that schools deliver safe and efficient transportation, Maine DOE school transportation works with state school superintendents, Legislators, and the Governor. We collaborate with state and federal agencies that include: Maine State Police, Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Managements’ Maine Emergency Management Agency. On the federal level, the Maine DOE works with U.S. Departments of Transportation, Education, Justice, and Homeland Security. Based on State laws and standards and federal laws and guidelines, we collaborate with these organizations to:
Provide school transportation safety and security information for schools- Establish practices for efficient school transportation operations
- Develop procedures and regulations to ensure a safe transportation system
- Direct state transportation programs Track and report transportation data School Transportation supports and contributes to the mission of the Department through Strategic Priority
- Ensure student and school safety, health, and well-being.
Maine Department of Education Transportation Department
For approximately 80 percent of Maine students, the school day begins and ends on the school bus. It is a place that sets the stage for daily learning as well as a place where safety is the first priority. For parents, it is about deciding how their child will travel to and from school. For students, it is a place to cultivate friendships and prepare for the school day.
Today’s school buses include technological advancements that have made them safer, more fuel efficient, more durable, and more environmentally friendly.
Maine Department of Education school transportation provides information to schools and works with the Legislature to ensure safe and efficient transportation for school children. At the Department, school transportation deals with policy, operations, programs, and training to track data and report trends in school transportation.