Bus Driver Mandates (PDF) Document containing legal mandates to be followed by drivers any time Kansas students are transported in an activity bus, school bus or school passenger vehicle.Revised February 2020

A class A or B, CDL is required for an activity/school bus with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more and/or rated for passenger capacity of 16 or more, including the driver. A class A, B, or C, CDL is required for activity/school buses with a gross weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less and/or rated for a passenger capacity of 16 or more, including the driver. An activity/school bus rated for less than 16 passengers, (14 passengers + the driver) and has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds is not required a CDL. These individuals are required a valid regular DL. The School/Contractor is required to have a copy of the license on file for anyone driving a activity/school bus or school passenger vehicle.

A "P" and "S" endorsement is required on a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the operation of both an activity buses and school buses.  To obtain the endorsement you will have to pass a "P" and "S" endorsement knowledge test and a road test in a school bus representative of the type of school bus you will be driving.  If you don't already have the "P" endorsement, you will have to pass the "P" endorsement knowledge test. 

Kansas Department of Revenue Driver Control maintains driving records and processess changes to driving privileges such as restrictions, suspensions, revoked licenses and reinstated licenses.  Driver Control can assist you with the following regarding Kansas drivers' licenses or driving records:

• Address Change Online
• Copies of Driving Records Online
• Forms Online
• Frequently asked questions on moving violations, convictions, accidents or proof of insurance
• How to read and view Kansas Driving Records
• Information on ignition interlock devices
• Click on the link below for more information and individual web links

Kansas Department of Revenue

Free Kansas Department of Revenue Drivers License/CDL status check website

Medical Self-Certification Changes  Kansas Department of Revenue on-line Certification Form

Kansas Commercial Drivers License Manual Revised March 2021
Kansas CDL Manual (PDF)

Classes of CDL, Endorsements and Restrictions (PDF)

Kansas Department of Revenue
Licenses Website

14 Passenger Bus Document (PDF)

K.S.A. 72-72-6626 (prior law 72-5213). requires employees of the school district, who come in regular contact with the pupils of the school district, to submit a certification of health and this certificate shall establish the employee is free from tuberculosis.

Kansas Department of Health & Environment Tuberculosis Control Program

Certification of Health for School Personnel (PDF) -- This form is to be completed by the applicant, or employee, and signed by a Licensed Physician stating that the individual has been tested for Tuberculoses pursuant to K.S.A. 72-72-6626 (prior law 72-5213).  

School Districts ARE NOT exempt the requirements of Drug & Alcohol Testing as set forth in 49 CFR Part 40.

FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearing House

Basic Drug & Alcohol Information for School Districts (PDF) School District Responsibilities and Information

SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION FOR REGISTERING WITH THE CLEARINGHOUSE:

Employer Instructions on Registering for FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (PDF) Step by step instruction. Please note a school district is considered a Government Entity and is not required a DOT number. When asked for a DOT number remember this is not applicable to a school district.

SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION FOR PURCHASING AND RUNNING QUERIES:

Employer Instructions on How to Run Limited Queries FMCSA website

Employer Instructions on How to Purchase Limited Queries FMCSA website

Sample form for Consent for Limited Queries General Consent Form for Limited Queries 

Employer Instructions on How to Run Full Queries FMCSA website

Employer Instructions on How to Assign you Consortium/Third Party Administrator to Run Your Queries FMCSA website

Employer Instructions on How to Report Drug/Alcohol Violation FMCSA website

BUS DRIVER RESOURCES

Driver Instructions on Registering for FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (PDF) step by step instructions

Driver Instructions for Responding and Granting Electronic Permission for a Full Query From an Employer

CLEARINGHOUSE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

FMCSA Learning Center FMCSA website

What Employers Need To Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing (PDF) Guidance and Best Practices published by
the  U.S. Department of Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions FMCSA website

Post Accident & Other Information

Post-Accident Drug & Alcohol Testing Flow Chart (PDF) Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug Testing for Kansas School Bus Drivers involved in an accident.

Kansas Drug Category Matrix (PDF) Overview of Signs and Symptoms of drug impairment

Federal Schedules of Controlled Substances

CONSENT FOR INFORMATION

When accepting job applications for prospective school bus drivers your job application should include a 10 year prior history. Per KAR 91-38-6, a governing body shall not employ or retain to transport students any person who discloses or whose driving record indicates that, within the past 10 years, the person has been convicted of DUI.

You as an employer are mandated by federal law to check a prospective employee’s CDL drug and alcohol testing history with any previous employer (required to do testing) who employed the person during the previous three years. (49 CRF 382.413)

Effective January 6, 2020, employers must conduct a full query of the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for these records, however since the clearinghouse does not contain records prior to this date, employers shall also obtain the prospective employee’s written consent to seek the information from employers until January 6, 2023. The Safety Performance History Records Request form may be used for this requirement.

Safety Performance History Records Request (PDF) Form which can be used to obtain mandated drug and alcohol testing results from previous employers. This form will be used in conjunction with the FMCSA Drug and Alchol Clearing House until January 6, 2022.

The prospective employee must list all previous and current employers on the Safety Performance History Records Request form for the previous 3 years, which would not be covered by the FMCSA clearing house which began January 6, 2020. If the prospective employee refuses to list previous employers or refuses to sign the form, you cannot hire or allow the person drive for you.

A separate Safety Performance History Records Request form for each past employer is required until January 6, 2023, for the previous 3 year period not be covered by the FMCSA clearing house which began January 6, 2020.

If the prospective employee has failed an alcohol and/or drug test AT ANY TIME in the past, the prospective employee is not eligible to drive an activity/school bus or any commercial motor vehicle until this individual completes SAP (Substance Abuse Program) and return-to-duty requirements in 49 CFR Part 40.

Your C/TPA (Consortium/Third-Party Administrator) should be able to help you locate a SAP provider.

Beginning in 2020, employers are mandated to run yearly limited queries on all CDL employees through FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Given the complexity of the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing requirements, it is strongly suggested and recommended school districts hire a C/TPA (Consortium/Third-Party Administrator) to help manage their federally mandated CDL alcohol and drug testing program.

CBD Oil & Products

 DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Notice (PDF) Information regarding CBD Oil and Products and its effects on mandated drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR part 40 for Kansas school bus drivers holding a CDL.

Medical Marijuana and Recreational Marijuana

 DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Notice (PDF) Information regarding "Medical Marijuana" and its effects on mandated drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR part 40 for Kansas school bus drivers holding a CDL.

 DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Notice (PDF) Information regarding "Recreational Marijuana" and its effects on mandated drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR part 40 for Kansas school bus drivers holding a CDL.