Transcript Type III Vehicle Pre-Trip

Type III School Bus
Training Program
2009-2010 School Year
Type III Driver Regulations


In 2008 the Minnesota Legislature created
several sections of law requiring annual
training and certification of persons that
operate Type III School Buses.
In 2009 the Minnesota Legislature removed
the section of law that required Type III
drivers submit to a physical examination.
NOTE: Some of the laws & rules have been “paraphrased” in
order to condense this presentation.
Definition of Type III School Bus
Minnesota Statute 169.011, Subdivision 71 (5)

Type III vehicles are restricted to passenger
cars, station wagons, vans, and buses
having a maximum manufacturer's rated
seating capacity of ten or fewer people,
including the driver, and a gross vehicle
weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
Type III Vehicle Drivers
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (a)

The holder of a class D driver’s license,
without a school bus endorsement, may
operate a Type III vehicle described in
section 169.011, under the following
conditions:
Type III Vehicle Drivers
(Continued)
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (b) & (c)


The operator is an employee of the entity
that owns, leases or contracts for the school
bus.
The operator’s employer has adopted and
implemented a policy that provides annual
training and certification of the operator in:
Type III Vehicle Drivers
(Continued)
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (c) (1-4)




Safe operation of a Type III vehicle
Understanding student behavior, including
issues relating to students with disabilities.
Encouraging orderly conduct of students on
the bus and handling incidents of
misconduct appropriately.
Knowing and understanding relevant laws,
rules of the road, and local school bus
safety policies.
Type III Vehicle Drivers
(Continued)
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (c) (5-8)




Handling emergency situations.
Proper use of seat belts and child safety
restraints.
Performance of pre-trip vehicle inspections;
and
Safe loading and unloading of students,
including, but not limited to:
Type III Vehicle Drivers
(Continued)
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (c) (8) (i-ii)
– Utilizing a safe location for loading and
unloading students at the curb, on the
non-traffic side of the roadway, or at offstreet loading areas, driveways, yards,
and other areas to enable the student to
avoid hazardous conditions.
– Refraining from loading and unloading
students in a vehicular traffic lane, on the
shoulder, in a designated turn lane, or a
lane adjacent to a designated turn lane.
Type III Vehicle Drivers
(Continued)
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (c) (8) (iii-iv)
– Avoiding a loading or unloading location
that would require a pupil to cross a road,
or ensuring that the driver or an aide
personally escort the pupil across the
road if it is not reasonably feasible to
avoid such a location; and
– Placing the Type III vehicle in "park"
during loading and unloading.
Background Check
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (d)

A background check or background
investigation of the operator has been
conducted that meets the requirements for
school district employees.
Driving Record
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (g)

The operator's driver's license is verified
annually by the entity that owns, leases, or
contracts for the school bus.
Alcohol Offenses
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (h)

A person who sustains a DWI conviction or
violation of the implied consent law, or who
is convicted of or has their driver's license
revoked under a similar statute or ordinance
of another state, is precluded from
operating a Type III vehicle for five years
from the date of conviction.
Disqualifying Offenses
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (i)

A person who has ever been convicted of a
disqualifying offense may not operate a
Type III vehicle under this subdivision.
– "Disqualifying offense" includes (1) any felony offense, (2)
any misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony violation
of chapter 152, (3) any violation under section 609.3451,
609.746, subdivision 1, 617.23, 617.246, 617.247, or
617.293, or (4) while driving, operating, or being in
physical control of a school bus or a Head Start bus, a
violation of section 169A.20 or a similar statute or
ordinance from another state.
Moving Offenses
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (j)

A person who is convicted of a moving
offense within three years of the first of
three other moving offenses is precluded
from operating a Type III vehicle for one
year from the date of the last conviction.
Moving Violations Example
02-10-2008
11-21-2008
03-31-2009
06-10-2009
Speed
Disobey sign
Speed
Speed (Triggering Conviction)
Loss of Type III driving privileges for one
(1) year from the last conviction, eligible
for reinstatement 06-11-2010.
Reporting Offenses
Minnesota Statute 171.02, Subdivision 2b (k)

An operator who sustains a conviction of
DWI, a moving violation or disqualifying
offense while employed by the entity that
owns, leases, or contracts for the school
bus, shall report the conviction to the
employer within ten days of the date of the
conviction.
NOTE: This applies to violations that occur in any vehicle,
including your own.
Notification Form

Type III School Bus Driver Notification to
Employer of Violation forms are available
in the “Forms” section on the Bemidji
Area Schools First Class mail system
and at Transportation Services.
Personal Cellular Phone Call Prohibited
Minnesota Statute 169.443, Subdivision 9
 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
August 1, 2008.
Additional Type III Rules
Minnesota Rule 7470.1000, Subpart 2


No pupils may be in the bus while the fuel
tank is being filled.
On leaving the vehicle when pupils are in
the bus, the driver shall stop the motor,
remove the ignition key, set the brakes, and
otherwise render the bus immobile.
Type III Unauthorized Items
Minnesota Rule 7470.1000, Subpart 2

The authorized person shall see that no
materials, including guns, loaded or
unloaded; gasoline cans, empty or full;
animals,
except
companion
animals
accompanying persons with disabilities; or
any other object of a dangerous or
objectionable nature are transported in the
school bus when pupils are being
transported.
Seat Belt Laws
Minnesota Statute 169.686


State law requires seatbelt usage of all passengers
Effective July 1, 2009, all children that are under
the age of eight and shorter than four feet nine
inches, need to be in a child restraint device.
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.
Air Bag Information


Air bag technology has improved over the
years, however air bags can still present a
significant danger to students.
It is recommended students avoid riding in
the front passenger seat of a Type III
school bus until they are twelve years of
age and/or adult size.
Required Driver Evaluations

Annually the driver of a type III school bus
must be evaluated and certified to operate a
Type III school bus.
– Pre-trip evaluation
– Behind the wheel evaluation
– Evaluator certification
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
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 may 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 may 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.
Minnesota State Laws &
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.
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
Accident Procedures


Stop immediately in the safest area
possible.
Assist any injured person. Do not move any
injured person unless it is absolutely
necessary. Evacuate the vehicle if:
– There is fire or danger of fire.
– The vehicle is in an unsafe position.
– There is a danger of drowning.
Accident Procedures



(Continued)
Provide your name, driver’s license number
and insurance information. Do not discuss
the accident with anyone except police and
school district personnel.
Record as much information listed on the
forms located in the first aid kit.
Contact Transportation Services as soon as
possible. Transportation Information cards
have been placed in each Type III vehicle.
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
Student Conduct and Students with
Special Needs Survey (Continued)
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
6.
Reinforcing good behavior is one of the best tools to use in
managing student conduct on your bus?
TRUE
Student Conduct and Students with
Special Needs Survey (Continued)
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
Type III Pre-Trip Inspection
Minnesota Rule 7470.1300

You are required to conduct a pre-trip
inspection of your Type III School Bus every
day that it is used to transport students.
Pre-Trip Inspection Form
Pre-Trip Routine



Use the diagram on the reverse side of the
Pre-Trip Inspection form to assist you with
your inspection.
Start with the mechanical check, then
continue counterclockwise around the
vehicle during the external inspection and
finish with the internal inspection.
If no defects are found, sign and date the
front of the form. The form is to remain in
the vehicle.
What if I discover a problem during
my pre-trip inspection?

If you discover a mechanical problem during
the pre-trip inspection contact a supervisor
or maintenance shop personnel to ensure
repairs are made prior to operating the
Type III school bus.
Out of Service Defects


If you return to Transportation Services
after hours and your Type III School Bus
has a defect, place an OUT OF SERVICE
card on the front seat of the vehicle to alert
others of the problem.
The cards are located to the right of the key
drop box by Door 1.
Know where the safety equipment is
stored in your Type III School Bus.
.
Body fluid clean up
First Aid Kit
Fire extinguisher must be
fully charged. Verify this
by checking the charge
indication arrow is in the
green zone.
Triangles, to be
placed on roadway
to warn other
traffic if you break
down.
Remember to always leave the Type
III School Bus clean after usage.
Post Trip Inspection

Some Type III school bus seat backs are
high and can hide students and items.
Congratulations on completing the
Type III School Bus Training Program!



Type III School Bus Knowledge and
Assessment certificates are available in the
“Forms” section on the Bemidji Area Schools
First Class mail system.
After viewing this PowerPoint presentation,
print and sign the form, then forward the
form to Transportation Services.
You are now ready to schedule your annual
pre-trip & behind-the-wheel evaluation.