​School Pupil and Farm Labor Transportation Safety Program 
(aka, School Bus Program)

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The School Bus Program is designed to ensure maximum safety when school pupils or farm workers are transported on California streets and highways. This is done through adherence to and enforcement of the current laws and regulations governing all aspects of the School Bus Program. Persons seeking to obtain a California Special Driver Certificate to operate any of the vehicles (listed below) within the School Bus Program, must meet program qualifications and undergo an intense testing process. To learn more, see the link below titled "How do I apply for a California Special Driver Certificate?"

Child Safety Alert System (on school buses).
Any inquiries relating to newly enacted legislation regarding child safety alert systems should be directed to the CHP’s Commercial Vehicle Section at (916) 843-3400.  

Child Safety Alert System - Frequently Asked Questions

School Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee (SPTAC) ​

​SPTAC Meeting Dates

SPTAC Meetings are held twice per year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. 

The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 15, 2019, at the Delta by Marriot Hotel in Garden Grove/Anaheim, California in conjunction with the California Association of School Transportation Officials 51st Annual Conference.

Please submit agenda items for SPTAC meetings, at least, 30 days prior to the meeting date.  Agenda items may be submitted for changes to Title 13, California Code of Regulations only, not for changes to the California Vehicle Code.  You may submit agenda items to jdouglas-bowie@chp.ca.gov or any of the SPTAC representatives listed in the Members/Representatives Contact Roster link below.

• Members/Representatives Contact Roster(Docx)

​School Bus Driver of the Year Award – Information Bulletin dated October 2, 2017

The CHP is looking for nominees for the 2017 School Bus Driver of the Year Award. School districts, private schools, contractors, and other organizations that promote school pupil transportation safety are encouraged and invited to nominate candidates for this prestigious award. See the Information Bulletin link above for details regarding the nomination process.

​School Bus Driver of the Year Winners:

2017 Winners

Ms. Debbie Stewart, Shasta County Office of Education, Redding, CA
Mr. Michael Garcia, First Student Inc., Yermo, CA
(drives for Silver Valley High School, Yermo, CA)

Past School Bus Drivers of the Year

​Resources and Other Information

How do I apply for a California Special Driver Certificate?

An individual desiring to obtain a California Special Driver Certificate to operate one of the vehicles listed below should contact the local California Highway Patrol (CHP) office nearest them to speak with the school bus officer or coordinator. 

There are six categories of certificates for which a person may apply:

• School bus driver

• Youth bus driver

• School pupil activity bus driver

• General public paratransit vehicle

• Farm labor vehicle

• Vehicle for Developmentally Disabled Persons 

Forms

CHP 295, Special Certificate Application(PDF)

Instructions:

Portions of the CHP 295 may be completed prior to an interview with a CHP school bus officer or coordinator, or the form may be completed with the school bus officer or coordinator during the interview process.

Updates:

Proposed Regulatory Actions:

The regulatory action for Title 13, California Codes and Regulations Section 1222; Smoking on School Buses is open for public comment until June 15, 2020. Please follow the link to the Office of Administrative Law’s Regulatory Notice Register to view the full text and public comment contact information.

Link: https://oal.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2020/04/2020-Notice-Register-Number-14-Z-April-3-2020.pdf

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First Aid Examination:  As part of the certification process, school bus and youth bus driver applicants must pass a first aid examination. Applicants may be administered a first aid examination and certified by the American Red Cross or any of the approved providers for school bus drivers listed on the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) website, or by the CHP. You may access EMSA’s web site at emsa.ca.gov/childcare External link . Then scroll down and click on School Bus Driver First Aid Training Programs.

The CHP revised its first aid examination in July 2015. The criteria for this examination are based on all chapters of the 2014 American Red Cross, First Aid/CPR/AED Participants Manual (Item #656756). The manual may be purchased at any American Red Cross online bookstore for a nominal fee, or other bookstores in your area.