Roughing It Transportation: Qualifications

During the summer, Roughing It hires professional bus drivers who have extensive experience in handling large vehicles and who drive for school districts during the year.

All drivers are highly trained, tested by the California Highway Patrol for both written knowledge and driving skill. The training program for school bus drivers is mandated by law to be a minimum of 40 hours. Most drivers spend 60-80 hours in the course. In contrast, a camp or recreation driving course is usually 15-20 hours long.

Training is not limited to the handling of a vehicle; professional drivers must master how to properly handle emergency situations. To this end, they are also certified in CPR and First Aid.

Continual enrollment in drug and alcohol testing programs is also a requirement for professional bus drivers. They are also enrolled in the DMV pull-notice program, providing employers with immediate notification of any action on a driver's DMV or criminal record.

Below, we have included an outline of the curriculum school bus drivers must study and master, as required by law, in order to work for a school district. The course is divided up into two parts: classroom study and "behind the wheel" practice.

Classroom Curriculum for School Bus Drivers Original License - minimum of 20 hours by law (most instructors take 25 to 30 hours to teach this curriculum)
Unit I	Commercial Driver's Handbook, DMV Regulations	2 hours
Unit II	Driver's License and Special Certificate Requirements License types, special certificates Training requirements Record keeping requirements Medical examinations	3 hours
Unit III	Bus Operation, Bus Use, Laws and Regulations Bus and vehicle types Inspections by CHP and carrier Unlawful operation Hours on duty for drivers Driver condition Vehicle condition Transportation of property Transportation of passengers Fueling restrictions and procedures Driving proficiency Vehicle inspection and maintenance Entrances and exits on buses Driving infractions Commercial Driver's license standards Requirements and penalties	3 hours
Unit IV	Vehicle Components Engine, Gas and Diesel Clutch / Transmission operation Air Brake Systems Steering, Tires Radios and PA systems	2 to 3 hours
Unit V	General Defensive Driving Techniques Perception Factor Conditioning, Repetition Sensor Devices Conditioned Responses Principles of Defensive Driving Safety Circle Driver mental and physical condition Following distrance Vehicle mechanical condition Visual lead time Reaction time and stopping distance Space cushion Stopping and turning Intersections Curves and Hills Bicycles Animals Traffic symbols, signals, and signs Nonverbal communication with other drivers, eye contact Accident reviews Railroad grade crossings	3 to 4 hours
Unit VI	Specialized Defensive Driving Techniques Adverse weather conditions Winter driving Tire chains Light conditions Night driving procedures Tire blowout Skid control Unexpected hazards Freeway driving	2 hours
Unit VII	Passenger Loading and Unloading Regulated and approved school bus stops Prohibited stopping, standing, and parking Unlawful passing of school bus Passenger loading techniques Use of amber and red light when loading and unloading School site loading/unloading zones	2 hours
Unit VIII	Emergency Procedures Required emergency equipment Fire extinguisher use and types Classification of fires First aid kids Red emergency reflectors Mechanical breakdown procedures Driver responsibilities during accidents Accident procedures Vehicle evacuation regulations and procedures Safe riding practices Hijacking and kidnapping Special problems Emergency procedures for hazardous materials	2 to 3 hours
Unit IX	Passenger Management Behavior curve Characteristics of group behavior Elements of group behavior Techniques of group control Establishing a mutually respectful relationship Specific behavior problems Bus safety rules Do's and Don't's of Pupil Management Discipline Authority of Driver Denial of transportation Pupil responsibilities	2 to 3 hours
Unit X	Activity Trips Extended driving hours Preparations for out of town travel Communications with parents and school officials Transportation of extra equipment Responsibilities on arrival and return trip Rest, food, and fueling stops	1 to 2 hours
Unit XI	The Special Needs Passenger Types of programs Special education terminology Descriptions Behavior patterns Legal context of transporting handicapped students Confidentiality of pupil's records Bus evacuation for special education pupils Wheelchair handling	2 to 3 hours
Unit XII	Public and Community Relations Importance of driver in public relations Driver attitude Passengers' feelings	1 hour

Behind-the-wheel Curriculum for Original Drivers minimum 20 hours (most instructors average 30 to 35 hours before sending a driver to CHP for testing)
Skill Level One	Basic Vehicle Familiarization and Movement Vehicle selection for training Site selection for training Positioning of driver Use of mirrors Use of brakes Vehicle movement – auto transmission Vehicle movement – manual transmission	4 hours
Skill Level Two	Precision Training in Vehicle Movement and Driving Fundamentals Use of hazard lights Precision backing Specific backing procedures Use of turn signals Operational use of mirrors Precision turning Turning points and precision turning Parallel parking procedures	3 to 4 hours
Skill Level Three	Transmission Control and Shifting Procedures Throttle control Double-clutching Establishing shifting points Tachometer use in shifting Shifting procedures for manual transmissions Shifting procedures for automatic transmissions Shifting a 2-speed rear axle Shifting graphs and charts	3 hours
Skill Level Four	General Defensive Driving Techniques Introduction to defensive driving Residential defensive driving techniques Urban defensive driving techniques Railroad grade crossings	2 hours
Skill Level Five	Specialized Defensive Driving Techniques Night driving Adverse operating conditions Hydroplaning Traction Tire blowout and rapid air loss Skid control Unexpected hazards	2 hours
Skill Level Six	Passenger Loading and Unloading Procedures School bus stops Use of turn signals Use of mirrors Approach Passenger loading, securing of vehicle Passenger unloading, securing of vehicle Red-light crossovers Hazardous loading and unloading conditions	2 hours
Skill Level Seven	Emergency Procedures Emergency hazard flashers Placement of emergency reflectors Use of fire extinguishers Mechanic breakdown Accident procedures Bus evacuation instruction	2 hours
Skill Level Eight	Final Appraisal of Driver Skills	1 hour