News & Insights

2024 brought many significant changes and events that affect the school bus industry. From the extension of the Under the Hood Exemption, to changes and challenges in new laws affecting employers, there was no shortage of news in the past year. Continuing reading for a recap of the year’s most significant events that may have an impact on you and your business.

On December 2, 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published an extension of the Under the Hood Exemption (the “Exemption”) in the Federal Register. As school transportation contractors know, FMCSA initially granted the NSTA Request for the Under the Hood Exemption in October 2022, after a series of prior waivers, for an Exemption period of two years beginning on November 27, 2022 and ending November 27, 2024. The Exemption period has now been extended by FMCSA for an...

In January 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the state Department of Motor Vehicles to implement the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (“FMCSA”) Under the Hood (“UTH”) CDL Testing Exemption, in an effort to enhance school bus driver recruiting. This initiative is also known as the “School Bus Only CDL” because it allows school bus operators to simplify the CDL training process for candidates who are obtaining their CDL for the purpose of driving a “School Bus Only...

On August 28, 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (“PennDOT”) implemented FMCSA’s Under the Hood (UTH) CDL Testing Exemption to enhance school bus driver recruiting and retention as directed by House Resolution 15. This initiative is also known as the “School Bus Only CDL” because it allows school bus operators in Pennsylvania to simplify the CDL training process for candidates who are obtaining their CDL for the purpose of driving a “School Bus Only”. Continue reading f...

Even the safest school bus driver could be cited by police or a DOT enforcement officer at some point. Sometimes a minor indiscretion, on personal time, leads to the driver think that a quick and quiet disposition is best. But, pleading guilty and paying a fine can lead to serious and unexpected consequences. Many drivers are unaware that many offenses require an automatic CDL license suspension that could put your driver out of action. Continue reading for more information

The school bus driver shortage has become a nationwide issue that has even resulted in some schools canceling instructional days. All school bus contractors have been faced with this issue and regularly struggle with keeping drivers behind the wheel. Operators have tried bonus programs, referral programs, and free CDL training. Despite these efforts, the driver shortage continues. Following is a novel approach that could provide some relief by removing a common barrier to entry that discourages ...

In September 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it was revising 49 CFR § 391.41 to permit drivers with a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) to be permitted to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without an exemption from FMCSA.