Bus Driver Education/Bus Safety

The Regional Office of Education provides training for current bus drivers and for individuals interested in becoming drivers.

The Regional Office of Education is responsible for conducting workshops and keeping records of school bus drivers. Initial training workshops are required for all new school bus drivers prior to getting a school bus driver permit. An annual refresher workshop is required for all bus drivers within the 12 month period prior to renewing their school bus driver permit.

Experienced drivers must take a two hour refresher course annually. All new drivers must take an eight hour course in school bus driver safety and first aid, as required by the Illinois State Board of Education and administered by the ROE.

Each year the Regional Offices train over 20,000 bus drivers.

The Regional Office of Education is responsible for the appointment of instructors who conduct the required training.

The Secretary of State's Office is responsible for the issuance of school bus driver permits, and the administration of behind-the-wheel testing.

Each school district is required by law to have its buses inspected twice annually. These inspections take place before school starts and again in December. In addition, there are daily inspections by the driver and monthly inspections by the districts or outside contractors.