Drive for Cedar Hill
HOW TO BECOME A CEDAR HILL ISD BUS DRIVER
The Cedar Hill ISD Transportation Department is dedicated to providing the best training possible to prepare our drivers for serving the students of our community. Our department conducts regular safety meetings for all of our new and experienced drivers. Prior to employment, drivers must pass:
- Criminal Background Check
- DOT Physical & Drug Test
- Motor Vehicle Record Check
Driver Qualification Training Applicant drivers begin with completion of a DOT Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Each driver must first complete the 5 part Texas CDL written test at the DPS office. Driver training begins with department orientation and Driving Skills, taught by an experienced district school bus driver trainer. This training prepares the driver for the on-the-road skills test conducted by a Texas Department of Public Safety evaluator. All drivers must complete the School Bus Certification Course (20 hours) required by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Bus Monitor Training Bus Monitors are used on our Special Needs Routes to assist the driver with loading, unloading, and with supervision of students during transit. Monitors are required to receive training with a district school bus trainer. Entry-Level Driver Training As of February 7, 2022, compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule is required for any individual who wants to:
- Obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the first time;
- Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
- Obtain a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazmat (H) endorsement for the first time.
Under the FMCSA requirements, an entry-level driver must successfully complete a prescribed program of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction before taking the CDL skills test. This training must be provided by a school or other entity listed on the FMCSA's Training Provider Registry (TPR).
The ELDT rule requires a standard curriculum in five areas of instruction: Basic Operation, Safe Operating Procedures, Advanced Operating Practices, Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions, and Non-Driving Activities. There isn't a minimum number of training hours required, however, the instructor must cover all the topics listed within each area of instruction. An assessment is then used to determine the driver-trainee's proficiency. Driver-trainees must achieve an overall minimum score of 80% on the theory assessment.
The 30 topics that must be covered in the theory instruction standard curriculum are:
- Orientation
- Control Systems/Dashboard
- Pre- and Post-Trip Inspections
- Basic Control
- Shifting/Operating Transmissions
- Backing and Docking
- Coupling and Uncoupling (Class A CDL only)
- Visual Search
- Communication
- Distracted Driving
- Speed Management
- Space Management
- Night Operation
- Extreme Driving Conditions
- Hazard Perception
- Skid Control/Recovery, Jackknifing, and Other Emergencies
- Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
Vehicle Systems & Reporting Malfunctions:
- Identification and Diagnosis of Malfunctions
- Roadside Inspections
- Maintenance
- Handling and Documenting Cargo
- Environmental Compliance Issues
- Hours of Service Requirements
- Fatigue and Wellness Awareness
- Post-Crash Procedures
- External Communications
- Whistleblower/Coercion
- Trip Planning
- Drugs/Alcohol
- Medical Requirement
Both range and over-the-road instruction are required. The proficient completion of the behind-the-wheel training is based solely on the instructor’s professional assessment of each driver-trainee’s performance of the required elements of behind-the-wheel training on the range and on public roads. The training must be completed in a vehicle of the same group or type that the driver-trainee intends to use for the CDL skills test.
Range training topics include vehicle inspection and backing & parking. Over-the-road training topics include turns, lane changes, shifting, and visual search.
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