School Bus Program

School Bus and Farm Labor Transportation Safety Program

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) partners with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Department of Education (CDE) to assist with testing school bus driver applicants and farm labor transportation drivers. The CHP takes school bus and farm labor vehicle safety seriously.  As such, the CHP works to promote safe driving practices through a combination of partnerships, public education, and enforcement efforts. 

Special Driver Certificates

 To obtain a Special Driver Certificate (DL 45) from the CHP, applicants must:

  1. Obtain a commercial learner’s permit with an (S) School Bus and/or (P) Passenger endorsement (DMV), or Class B commercial driver’s license with a  (P) endorsement for General Public Paratransit Vehicle and Farm Labor Vehicle,  prior to making an appointment with the CHP School Bus Officer/Coordinator.   
  2.   Make an appointment with your local CHP Area office with a School Bus Officer/Coordinator.  This appointment will include completing a:
    1. CHP 295, Special Driver Certificate Application
    2. Department of Justice livescan (background check)
    3. Rules and Regulations Written Test
    4. First Aid Examination (for School Bus/Youth Bus only)

Once completing the in-take interview, written testing (if applicable), and livescan, the applicant will continue to the behind-the-wheel testing portion of the certificate. This process includes the following:

  1. The applicant must complete behind-the-wheel training with the CDE or school district, prior to the CHP administering behind-the-wheel testing. 
  2. The CHP checks the Entry Level Driver Training in the DMV’s automated system to verify required training has been completed.  Applicants should confirm with their certified school bus instructor that all required information has been entered into the Training Provider Registry (TPR) prior to the behind-the-wheel drive test.   

To verify your own training has been entered in the TPR, use this link:  Training Provider Registry (dot.gov)

  1. The applicant must complete the practical a successful demonstration of a pre-trip inspection, successful demonstration of basic controls skills testing, and the completion of a behind-the-wheel test. The practical examinations satisfy the requirements for the CHP Special Driver Certificate and the Class B commercial driver license.

NOTE:  There are six categories of the Special Driver Certificate, including:  School Bus Driver, Youth Bus Driver, School Pupil Activity Bus Driver, General Public Paratransit Vehicle, Farm Labor Vehicle, and Vehicle for Developmentally Disabled Persons.

Contact your local CHP office for additional information.

CHP 295 Directions

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/Coordinator or coordinator during the interview process. 

  • Page 1: ​The applicant may complete the personal and driver license portions only. The rest of the sections are for CHP use only.
  • ​Page 2:​ Must be reviewed with the CHP school bus officer or coordinator prior to the applicant signing the document, and must be signed in the presence of the CHP school bus officer or coordinator.
  • ​Page 3: The applicant may complete the Convictions and Residency History portions. This information must be explained and reviewed by the school bus officer or coordinator.
  • ​Page 4: ​The applicant may complete the Work History portion. This page must be signed and dated in the presence of the CHP school bus officer or coordinator.
Resources

To receive a copy of the Highway Patrol Handbook 82.7, Passenger Transportation Safety Handbook, please contact your local CHP Field Office or the Public Records Unit at 916-843-4030.

 

For additional issues or concerns regarding the CHP School Bus Program, please submit a written response to CHP-SBProgram@chp.ca.gov. 

 

Upcoming Awards/Ceremonies

  • Thursday April 28, 2026 – National School Bus Driver’s Appreciation Day.
  • Thursday October 1, 2026 – School Bus Safety Awareness Month.

School Bus Driver of the Year

The California Highway Patrol’s 2024 School Bus Drivers of the Year are: 
Northern Region:   Ms.  Oralia Montanez of Linden Unified School District.    
Southern Region:   Ms. Adriana Catledge of North Monterey Unified School District.   

Congratulations to you both for your outstanding achievement!  

 

Northern Region Winner:  Ms. Oralia Montanez from Linden Unified School District. 

This commendation is presented to Ms. Montanez for her overall excellence as a driver, employee, and role model within the Linden Unified School District.  Since beginning her career in 1999 with Linden USD, she has dedicated over 28 years of experience in the transportation industry, 25 of those years having driven over 600,000 accident-free miles.  Ms. Montanez has an exemplary safety record which is a testament to her knowledge and skills as a school bus driver.  She has continued to display her unwavering leadership and dedication to not only her students, but also her fellow coworkers, as a Lead Bus Driver.  For these reasons, the California Highway Patrol recognizes Ms. Montanez as the 2024 Northern Region School Bus Driver of the Year. 

 

Southern Region Winner:  Ms. Adriana Catledge from North Monterey Unified School District.

This commendation is presented to Ms. Catledge for her overall excellence as a driver, employee, and role model with North Monterey County Unified School District.  With over 30 years of experience as a certified school bus driver and instructor, she has demonstrated over 732,500 miles driven, accident-free.  Ms. Catledge’s dedication and commitment to the school bus industry continues as she serves as the Chapter 19 President for the California Association of School Transportation Officials.  For these reasons, the California Highway Patrol recognizes her as the 2024 Southern Region School Bus Driver of the Year.

Past School Bus Drivers of the Year

​Proposed Regulatory Actions

None
​School Pupil Transportation Committee (SPTAC)

The CHP convenes a panel of specified members to advise the CHP when drafting regulations affecting school pupil transportation buses and school pupil transportation operations.  Meetings are generally held twice a year, in conjunction with the California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO) Annual Conference, and the CASTO State Board Meeting. 
Agenda topics may be submitted for consideration to CHP-SBProgram@chp.ca.gov, or to any of the SPTAC members.

SPTAC Member Roster
​Next SPTAC Meeting

In-person/virtual meeting, in conjunction with CASTO 58th Annual State Conference.

When:  Monday March 2, 2026

Time:  12:15 PM to 1:15 PM, directly after the State Agency Panel from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Where:  Los Angeles Marriott – Burbank Airport

Address:  2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
See CASTO website for more information on the 2026 Managers Forum:
California Association of School Transportation Officials - Home (castoways.org)
​Current SPTAC Vacancies

The Commercial Vehicle Section has one vacancy left for the 2026-2028 term year for the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Interested candidates shall submit resumes to CHP-SBProgram@chp.ca.gov.  Questions or concerns may be directed to SPTAC Secretary MaKenna Wilkes.