TYPE III School Bus (Revised 7/08)

1. TYPE III School Bus (Revised 7/08) Driver training including pre-trip procedures

2. Disclaimer While every effort has been made to assure the information provided here is complete and accurate; it is not intended to take the place of published rules, statutes or regulations concerning school bus operations in Minnesota. The contents may not be relied upon as a substitute for the most current official text or information. The Minnesota State Patrol and publisher cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors, misprinting, or ambiguity contained within this publication and shall not be held liable in any degree for any loss or injury caused by such omissions, errors, misprinting, or ambiguity presented in this publication. This publication is designed to provide reasonably accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. This power point presentation is current to the date of release (8-2008). It is given with the understanding that the Minnesota State Patrol is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

3. Type III Training • You are about to receive information that is important for the safe operation of Type lll school buses. In some instances individual district or contractors policy will exceed State of Minnesota requirements. • Be advised this is a model program for Type III training, you should check with your District or Company for specific policies and procedures you should follow regarding Type III school bus training.

4. Type III School Bus Driver Evaluations Required • Annually the driver of a Type III school bus must receive training and certification to operate a Type III school bus. • The certifications are; • Type III school bus driver behind the wheel evaluation • Type III school bus driver pre-trip evaluation • Type III school bus driver evaluator certification

5. Training / Qualification Files • All forms for training / qualifications are available online at; http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/comveh/index.htm Click on the school bus link to the left side of the screen, then click on the big yellow school bus and you’ll be directed to the list of forms.

6. What are some types of school buses? • Type A, involves gross weight of vehicle, many type A are special education buses • Type C, most common

7. What are some types of school buses? Type D, engine in rear (most cases) passenger door to the front of the right front wheel • Type III, Less then 10 passengers, includes cars, vans, SUV’s, trucks, contracted taxi’s

8. Type III Vehicles • If a Type III vehicle is to be used for transporting students to and from school or school related activities, a pre-trip must be performed before the vehicle starts the pick-ups. • (Pre-trip = check of vehicle components for safety and RECORD ON OFFICIAL FORM THAT STAYS WITH THE VEHICLE YOU ARE DRIVING) • A Type III vehicle pre-trip will differ from a regular school bus • But, many of the items checked will be the same or similar • We will cover these items in detail to ensure a safe ride for you and your passenger(s).

9. Requirements • A copy of your driving record with no more than three moving violations in three years, (fourth one disqualifies you) • Your driving record will be reviewed periodically in order for you to drive a Type III vehicle • Any moving violations resulting in conviction must be reported for review to your employer • Understand Type III school bus specific Pre-trip • Understanding of student behavioral issue and ability to handle student misconduct on a Type III vehicle • Safe loading and unloading in prescribed areas, don’t allow students to cross streets when loading or unloading • Always place vehicle in park to load or unload

10. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • Physical examination of driver • Operators shall submit to a physical examination as required by section 171.321, subdivision 2 . • It is recommended you carry your current physical examination card with you while operating a Type III school bus as this will be the only proof of your physical qualification.

11. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • DWI / Driver Disqualifications • Adopts all DWI offense same as a CDL • Convictions of any of the DWI laws will automatically result in a five (5) year disqualification

12. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • Controlled Substance / Alcohol Testing • You may be subject to controlled substance / alcohol testing by your employer if the operator's employer has adopted and implemented a policy that provides for mandatory drug and alcohol testing of applicants for operator positions and current operators, in accordance with section 181.951, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5.

13. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • MS 181.951, subdivisions • Sub 2: Pre-employment testing • Sub 4: Random testing • Sub 5: Reasonable suspicion testing • Post crash / work related vehicle accident

14. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • Background check / investigation • A background check or background investigation of the operator has been conducted that meets the requirements under section 122A.18, subdivision 8, or 123B.03 for school district employees; section 144.057 or chapter 245C for day care employees; or section 171.321, subdivision 3, for all other persons operating a type A or type III school bus under this subdivision.

15. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • Disqualification - Moving violations • A person who sustains a conviction of a moving offense in violation of chapter 169 within three years of the first of three other moving offenses is precluded from operating a type III school bus for one year from the date of the last conviction. Example: 02-10-2007 Speed 11-21-2007 Speed 03-31-2008 Speed 06-10-2008 Disobey sign (triggering conviction) Loss of Type III driving privileges for one (1) year from the last conviction, eligible for reinstatement 06-11-2009

16. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 171.02 sub 2b • Employee notification requirements • DWI • Disqualifying offenses • Moving violations • The employee is required to disclose in writing within ten (10) days of conviction any of the above violations to the employer. This applies to personal and District/Company vehicles.

17. New Legislation(Type III School Bus)MS 169.443 sub 9 Personal cellular phone call prohibited • A school bus driver may not operate a school bus or Type III while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular phone for personal reasons, whether hand-held or hands free, when in motion. • Effective for Type III school bus on 08-01-08

18. Understanding Student Conduct • Control behavior by communicating the rules • Stay seated • Stay buckled up • Face forward • Do not distract the driver • Deal with misconduct by pulling over if necessary, control the behavior, then proceed • Contact supervisor if necessary • Do not allow bad behavior to go unchecked, know your district/company policy and ask for help if necessary • Always put safety first for all students that ride your Type III school bus

19. Students with special needs • Special needs students may not fully understand all the safety rules necessary for a safe ride. • Know that if routine is changed some special needs students will not understand and my act out. • Questions you may have regarding a particular special needs students may best be answered by their parent, guardian, or teacher. • Some special needs students with behavioral disorders may require assigned seats and closer attention then most students. • Younger students my not say anything even though they are having some difficulty on the bus. • Always check that tie-down devices are secured, before leaving the student pick up location.

20. Minnesota State Laws and Rules of the Road • You must have your driver license in possession while driving. • You must have a current/signed/completed pre-trip inspection form in your procession for the current day of operation. • State law requires you to wear your seat belt at all times when operating the Type III school bus. • You must signal all turns and lane changes. • You must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. • Since you are driving a Type III school bus you are not required to stop at railroad crossings, but you must use due caution non-the-less. • As a driver of a Type III school bus you must operate the vehicle with due care in consideration of traffic and road conditions . This may require you to drive slower than posted speed limits to ensure student safety. • As the driver of a Type III school bus you are responsible to ensure all required safety equipment is present when transporting students. • Remember only emergency stops are permitted on interstate highways, if you do need to stop for any another reason, exit the freeway/highway before stopping. • Ensure compliance with local school bus safety policies adopted by your district.

21. Loading and Unloading of Students(MN Rule 7470.1500) • The driver of a Type III school bus shall not load or unload in a vehicular traffic lane, or on the shoulder, but is restricted to curb, non-traffic side (normal parking lane), off street loading areas, driveways, yard service, and other areas to avoid any hazardous conditions…

22. Loading and Unloading of Students(MN Rule 7470.1500) • The Type III school bus driver shall not load or unload in the right hand lane of the roadway, designated right turn lane, or lane immediately adjacent to a designated turn lane…

23. Loading and Unloading of Students(MN Rule 7470.1500) • The driver of a Type III school bus shall not load or unload so that a pupil has to cross the road except where not possible or impractical, then the driver shall personally escort the pupil across the road. When escorting a pupil across the road the driver must stop the motor, remove the ignition key, set the parking brake and ensure the vehicle is rendered immobile…

24. Loading and Unloading of Students(MN Rule 7470.1500) • The driver of a Type III school bus shall place the transmission in “park” while loading or unloading of students is occurring.

25. Seat Belt Requirements(169.686) • State law requires seatbelt usage of all passengers riding in the front seat • State law requires seat belt usage of all passengers riding in any seat between the ages of 4 to 11 years of age • NOTE: Check with your district or carrier concerning any additional seat belt usage policies

26. Child Safety Restraints • There are numerous child safety restraint systems being used throughout the industry. Consult the manufacturers recommendations or a supervisor for the particular child safety restraint system being used by your district / carrier for proper installation and usage.

27. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS • Plan evacuations for your Type III school bus • Make sure the students know all the exits and how to use them • Keep a list of contact names and phone numbers in case of a mechanical problem • Make sure all students are dressed for inclement weather in case your Type III school bus is unable to provide a proper shelter until help arrives • Plan your route before you leave to avoid an emergency situation • Make sure that all safety equipment is available if needed

28. Student conduct and students with special needs survey 1. The length of time a student with disabilities is transported shall be appropriate to the physical, mental and emotional well being of the student? TRUE 2. An IEP is an Instructional education program? FALSE, Individual Education Plan 3. Student management involves a commitment to working with students to clarify the problems and find solutions? TRUE 4. Each driver and aide of students with special needs must be a paramedic? FALSE 5. Typically speaking , junior high students are the most difficult students to manage? TRUE

29. Student conduct and students with special needs survey • 6. Reinforcing good behavior is one of the best tools to use in managing student conduct on your bus? • True • 7. Students do not always understand things they say are offensive to other students? • True • 8. The bus is an extension of the school day? • True • 9. The bus driver can discharge a student anywhere along the route if they are making a disruption on the bus? • False • 10. Students need to be aware of the reasons why rules exist in order to reassure compliance? • True

30. THE • PRE-TRIP

31. Pre-Trip starts under the hood

32. Check Oil • It is important to check your oil daily before you start your trip • Most vehicles will have the oil cap clearly marked • The oil on the stick will indicate if the oil level is low • Fill with oil to the designated full line if it is low • Never leave the garage if your oil level is low.

33. Check oil level daily

34. There are various Type III school buses and the locations the oil filler cap and dip stick may be in different locations. Consult with a supervisor or shop maintenance personnel for assistance in locating these items.

35. Remove the oil dipstick and check the fluid level

36. Wipe fluid off, re-insert dipstick and look again to determine oil level

37. Each Type III will be different but know and learn the other fluids to be checked under the hood such as the brake fluid being pointed out here

38. Pre-trip routine • To ensure a thorough Pre-trip inspection is completed is to develop a routine. So, after you are done under the hood we recommend you proceed around the vehicle in a counter clockwise manner checking not only the components but also check for body damage and anything out of the ordinary

39. Adjust and clean your mirrors

40. Check that fuel cap is on and secure

41. Check that all doors operate properly and easily

42. Check under vehicle for leaks

43. Always check tire tread depth, Front tires 4/32 inch, rear 2/32 inch

44. Many Type III vehicles may not have dual rear wheels Edge of coin to top of head 4/32”

45. Check Tires • Irregular tire wear can be spotted early when tires are checked daily • Blow outs are not only frightening but can also result in loss of vehicle control • Blow outs can result in accidents, inconvenience, lost time, & increased cost • Road calls or Towing are often necessary • Worn tires create balance and alignment issues as well. • If lug nuts are exposed ensure they are tight and secure.

46. Hub cap covers can be easily removed with a screw driver or a key as demonstrated here. Check with your district or company concerning policies and procedures for hubcap removal if required.

47. Ensure all lug nuts are tight and secure.

48. When replacing the hub cap cover make certain it is securely attached

49. Inside the Vehicle

50. Check that all Gauges function correctly