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 the 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 partnership, public education, and enforcement efforts.
Special Driver Certificates
To obtain a Special Driver Certificate (DL 45) from the CHP, applicants must:
- 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 (P) endorsement for General Public Paratransit Vehicle and Farm Labor Vehicle, prior to making an appointment with the CHP School Bus Officer/Coordinator.
- Make an appointment with your local CHP Area office with a School Bus Officer/Coordinator. This appointment will include completing a:
- CHP 295, Special Driver Certificate Application
- Department of Justice livescan (background check)
- Rules and regulations written test
- 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.
- The applicant must complete behind-the-wheel training with the California Department of Education or school district, prior to the CHP administering behind-the-wheel testing.
- 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)
- 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 Office or the Public Records Unit at 916-843-4030.
School Bus Driver of the Year
The California Highway Patrol’s 2023 School Bus Drivers of the Year are:
Northern Region: Ms. Angela Cuellar of Alum Rock Union School District, San Jose, CA.
Southern Region: Mr. Benjamin Glaser of Student Transportation of America, Morongo Basin, CA.
Congratulations to you both for your outstanding achievement!
Northern Region Winner: Ms. Angela Cuellar of Alum Rock Union School District
Mr. Benjamin Glaser of Student Transportation of America
Proposed Regulatory Actions
None
Past Regulatory Actions
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 CVS-SBProgram@chp.ca.gov, or to any of the SPTAC members.
Next SPTAC Meeting
In-person meeting, in conjunction with CASTO School Transportation Business Managers Forum:
When: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, directly after the State Agency Panel
Where: Delta by Marriott Garden Grove
Address: 12021 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840
See CASTO website for more information on the 2025 Managers Forum:
California Association of School Transportation Officials - Home (castoways.org)
Current SPTAC Vacancies
The Commercial Vehicle Section anticipates seven vacancies as of January 1, 2026. An Information Bulletin has been released announcing the vacancies for resume submissions for the new term year of 2026-2028, this August. The deadline to submit your resume for consideration is no later than October 15, 2025, to the Commercial Vehicle Section School Bus Program email: CVS-SBProgram@chp.ca.gov.