Resource Center
Pre-Service for Drivers and Monitors/Attendants
All drivers and monitors/attendants participate in a mandated three-hour course which prepares them with the skills that are required to drive a school bus, or to assist a driver on a school bus.
State Education Department Refresher for Drivers and Monitors/Attendants
All drivers and monitors/attendants are required by SED to attend two, two-hour biannual refresher courses. These courses provide updated SED information to all drivers and monitor/attendants, and also educate those who are new to the industry.
SED Basic Course
This is a thirty-hour course required by SED for all new school bus drivers, which must be taken during their first year. It is a comprehensive course designed to educate drivers in the laws, regulations, responsibilities, procedures, and general knowledge of safely operating a school bus.
SED Advanced Driver Course
This ten-hour course is recommended by SED and designed for the veteran school bus driver. The course includes “Back to Basics” and “Refresher Driving Skills.”
SED Physical Performance Testing
Physical Performance Testing is conducted every two years for drivers, monitors, and attendants, based on SED regulation standards. Results are documented and reported to SED. Testing can be scheduled to take pace at BOCES Transportation Offices, or the candidate’s worksite.
SED School Bus Driver Instructor (SBDI) Course
Instructed by an SED Master Instructor (MI), successful completion of this forty-hour course allows the candidate to become a certified School Bus Driver Instructor. The SBDI is able to then instruct all SED mandated driver and monitor/attendant courses.
Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Requirements
DMV 19A Certified Examiner Course
This is a thirty-hour course designed to prepare candidates for administering all testing under Article 19A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. It also prepared the candidate to create, maintain, and audit a driver’s 19A file as recommended by DMV.
DMV 19A Certified Examiner Refresher Course
This a five-hour refresher course for administering all testing under Article 19A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. It also refreshes the candidate in creating, maintaining, and auditing a driver’s 19A file as recommended by DMV.
DMV Biennial Behind-the-Wheel Test
Conducted by an Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member, perspective drivers undergo a road test where they are evaluated on their driving proficiency and skills. Candidates are also interviewed and given a final pass or fail grade.
DMV Annual Defensive Driving Observation
An Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member will examine the performance of a driver both inside and outside the bus while students are on board. The driver will be observed and evaluated on their performance of safely loading and unloading students. Results will be discussed with the driver and their supervisor. If necessary, retraining is recommended.
DMV Annual Driver Abstract Interviews
To remain in compliance with Article 19A requirements every driver is required to undergo an annual review of their driver abstract. The Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member retrieves and reviews the abstract and conducts an interview with the driver.
DMV Biennial Written Test
Conducted by an Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member, drivers are administered a written test under Article 19A for their Commercial Driver License (CDL) and are evaluated on their knowledge of driving a school bus.
Driver Retraining
Customized retraining programs are designed to meet specific needs of a candidate.
Empire Defensive Driving Course
This is six-hour course designed to refresh a driver’s knowledge of defensive driving skills. The driver may be eligible to have points reduced on his/her license and also to receive a reduction in automobile insurance premiums.
All drivers and monitors/attendants participate in a mandated three-hour course which prepares them with the skills that are required to drive a school bus, or to assist a driver on a school bus.
State Education Department Refresher for Drivers and Monitors/Attendants
All drivers and monitors/attendants are required by SED to attend two, two-hour biannual refresher courses. These courses provide updated SED information to all drivers and monitor/attendants, and also educate those who are new to the industry.
SED Basic Course
This is a thirty-hour course required by SED for all new school bus drivers, which must be taken during their first year. It is a comprehensive course designed to educate drivers in the laws, regulations, responsibilities, procedures, and general knowledge of safely operating a school bus.
SED Advanced Driver Course
This ten-hour course is recommended by SED and designed for the veteran school bus driver. The course includes “Back to Basics” and “Refresher Driving Skills.”
SED Physical Performance Testing
Physical Performance Testing is conducted every two years for drivers, monitors, and attendants, based on SED regulation standards. Results are documented and reported to SED. Testing can be scheduled to take pace at BOCES Transportation Offices, or the candidate’s worksite.
SED School Bus Driver Instructor (SBDI) Course
Instructed by an SED Master Instructor (MI), successful completion of this forty-hour course allows the candidate to become a certified School Bus Driver Instructor. The SBDI is able to then instruct all SED mandated driver and monitor/attendant courses.
Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Requirements
DMV 19A Certified Examiner Course
This is a thirty-hour course designed to prepare candidates for administering all testing under Article 19A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. It also prepared the candidate to create, maintain, and audit a driver’s 19A file as recommended by DMV.
DMV 19A Certified Examiner Refresher Course
This a five-hour refresher course for administering all testing under Article 19A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. It also refreshes the candidate in creating, maintaining, and auditing a driver’s 19A file as recommended by DMV.
DMV Biennial Behind-the-Wheel Test
Conducted by an Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member, perspective drivers undergo a road test where they are evaluated on their driving proficiency and skills. Candidates are also interviewed and given a final pass or fail grade.
DMV Annual Defensive Driving Observation
An Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member will examine the performance of a driver both inside and outside the bus while students are on board. The driver will be observed and evaluated on their performance of safely loading and unloading students. Results will be discussed with the driver and their supervisor. If necessary, retraining is recommended.
DMV Annual Driver Abstract Interviews
To remain in compliance with Article 19A requirements every driver is required to undergo an annual review of their driver abstract. The Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member retrieves and reviews the abstract and conducts an interview with the driver.
DMV Biennial Written Test
Conducted by an Eastern Suffolk BOCES Transportation staff member, drivers are administered a written test under Article 19A for their Commercial Driver License (CDL) and are evaluated on their knowledge of driving a school bus.
Driver Retraining
Customized retraining programs are designed to meet specific needs of a candidate.
Empire Defensive Driving Course
This is six-hour course designed to refresh a driver’s knowledge of defensive driving skills. The driver may be eligible to have points reduced on his/her license and also to receive a reduction in automobile insurance premiums.