Bill would permanently drop engine check from school bus driver testing
In committeeS. 1284Latest action
Sponsor: John Cornyn · Senator · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Driving Forward Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Driving Forward Act would permanently exempt school bus CDL applicants from the engine-compartment inspection test.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S. 1284 makes permanent a temporary 2024 federal exemption letting school bus driver CDL applicants skip the engine-compartment inspection portion of the skills test. It does not change any rules for actually operating a school bus. States using the exemption must report annually for six years on how many drivers were licensed under it.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects school bus driver applicants and drivers, state agencies that issue CDLs, and school districts that employ bus drivers. Families with children who ride school buses are indirectly affected.
Why does it matter?
Removing this testing requirement could make it faster to become a licensed school bus driver, potentially easing driver shortages, while reducing the mechanical knowledge applicants must demonstrate before licensing.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 3, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Apr 3, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.