Legal Focus

In January 2022 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted a ninety day waiver of the “Under-the-Hood” portion of CDL skills test for school bus drivers to help address the driver shortage. Seven states implemented modified CDL testing for school bus drivers, and FMCSA extended the ninety day waiver two more times. But, some states still declined to modify their CDL testing for school bus drivers due to the short duration of the waiver. In September 2022, FMCSA sought comments on NSTA’s request for a longer term exemption. On October 27, 2022, FMCSA granted a two year exemption from “Under-the-Hood” CDL skills testing for school bus drivers, which will help those states seeking more time. But, many people remain confused about what existing law requires regarding a driver’s inspection of a commercial motor vehicle (“CMV”). Continue reading below for a discussion of what existing laws require regarding a driver’s inspection of a CMV.

Click here to request a copy of this article.