Md. Code Regs. 13A.06.07.10

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 13A.06.07.10 - Instructional Content Requirements

A. Preservice Instruction for School Vehicle Drivers.

(1) A trainee shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction in the core units of the school bus driver instructional program developed by the Department, including:

(a) First aid;

(b) Railroad grade crossing safety; and

(c) Bridge crossing safety.

(2) All or a portion of the classroom instruction required under §A(1) of this regulation may be waived by the supervisor of transportation if the trainee is currently certified by a local school system.

(3) A trainee shall receive a minimum of 9 hours behind-the-wheel instruction, except if the trainee is:

(a) A current holder of a commercial driver's license with a passenger and school bus endorsement for 3 years, and has received a minimum of 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; or

(b) Currently certified as a school vehicle driver by a local school system, and has received a minimum of 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

(4) Class size shall be conducive to individualized instruction.

B. In-Service Instruction for School Vehicle Drivers.

(1) At least 6 hours of in-service instruction shall be provided annually.

(2) Five hours shall have an emphasis on safety procedures, strategies, and laws.

(3) In-service instruction topics:

(a) Shall be selected from the core or advanced units of the school vehicle driver instruction program developed by the Department; and

(b) May include other topics contained in the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course, controlled substances and alcohol regulations, or personnel and student safety issues.

(4) One hour of the 6 hours of in-service instruction may be on-the-bus observation, instruction, or both.

(5) In-service instruction in the following topics shall be given at least once every 3 years:

(a) First aid; and

(b) Bridge and railroad grade crossing.

(6) Class size shall be limited to 35 students except as provided in §B(7) of this regulation. If the number of students exceeds 35, the session does not meet the State instructional requirements.

(7) A maximum of two large-group safety meetings of more than 35 students, not to exceed 2 hours each, may be provided each year.

(8) At least 2 of the 6 hours per year of in-service instruction shall be conducted in classes of not more than 35 students.

C. School Vehicle Driver Recertification.

(1) A school vehicle driver who has been deleted from a school system's driver roster for 1 year or less may be recertified as a school vehicle driver if the individual satisfactorily completes refresher training that includes a minimum of 3 hours of classroom instruction and 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, unless the supervisor of transportation determines less refresher training is necessary.

(2) An explanation to support the decision to require less than the minimum refresher training shall be placed in the school vehicle driver's personnel file.

(3) If a school vehicle driver has been deleted from the school system's driver roster for more than 1 year, the school vehicle driver shall complete all school vehicle trainee qualifications as required under Regulation .06A of this chapter.

D. School Vehicle Attendant Instruction.

(1) Preservice Instruction. Before riding in the capacity of a school vehicle attendant on a school vehicle with students on board, a school vehicle attendant shall complete a minimum of 4 hours of preservice instruction that includes:

(a) 1 hour of instruction in first aid; and

(b) 1 hour of instruction appropriate to the duties of the school vehicle attendant.

(2) In-Service Instruction. A school vehicle attendant annually shall complete 2 hours of in-service instruction in topics that include equipment, student management, and first aid.

E. Instructional Records. A local school system shall maintain attendance records, electronic or printed format, of all preservice and in-service instructional sessions which include the following information, as appropriate:

(1) Name of the trainee, driver, or attendant;

(2) Name of the instructor;

(3) Dates of instruction;

(4) Number of hours of classroom instruction and topics of instruction; and

(5) Number of hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

Md. Code Regs. 13A.06.07.10

Regulations .10 and recodified as Regulation .12 effective July 1, 1989 (16:9 Md. R. 995)
Regulations .10 adopted effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608)
Regulations .10 adopted effective October 1, 2001 (28:19 Md. R. 1686); amended effective 44:6 Md. R. 326, eff. 3/27/2017; amended effective 45:26 Md. R. 1248, eff. 12/31/2018; recodified from .09 effective 49:4 Md. R. 301, eff. 2/21/2022