The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed an exemption allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment part of the pre-trip inspection test, known as the "under-the-hood" test, when obtaining a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a school bus endorsement. This exemption is valid for two years, from November 28, 2024, to November 28, 2026, and it restricts drivers to operating school buses only within state boundaries. The renewal aims to address the shortage of school bus drivers by removing barriers related to outdated testing requirements, especially as the industry moves towards electric buses. Safety measures remain in place, and states choosing to use this exemption must report information regularly to ensure compliance and safety.
Simple Explanation
The government has decided that school bus drivers don't have to check under the hood of the bus when taking their driving test for two more years, because most school buses are becoming electric and they want more people to become school bus drivers.