Section 1035.15  Requirements of Applicants for a School Bus Driver Permit

In order for the Secretary of State to issue a school bus driver permit, all applicants must:

a)         be 21 years of age or older;

b)         possess a valid and properly classified driver's license issued by the Secretary of State or a valid license issued in the applicant's home state;

c)         possess a valid driver's license that has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or disqualified for three years immediately prior to the date of application, and shall not have had his or her commercial motor vehicle driving privileges disqualified within the three years immediately prior to the date of application, except for miscellaneous suspensions, (see IVC Section 1-115.3).  A lapse in the renewal of the driver's license of 30 days or less shall not render the applicant ineligible.  The Secretary of State may, in his or her discretion, grant a waiver for a lapse in the renewal of the driver's license in excess of 30 days;

d)         pass written examinations administered by the Secretary of State on school bus operation, school bus safety, and special traffic laws relating to school buses and submit to a review of the applicant's driving habits by the Secretary of State at the time the written examination is given.  This subsection (d) does not apply to an applicant for a 2^nd Division school bus permit who holds a valid CDL or a CDL expired for 30 days or less, issued by another state with both a S and P endorsement. For the purposes of this subsection (d), state means a state in the United States, the District of Columbia, and any province or territory of Canada [625 ILCS 5/6-500(27)];

e)         demonstrate the ability to exercise reasonable care in the operation of a school bus in accordance with the requirements of 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1030.85;

f)         be physically able to safely operate a school bus.  An applicant for a school bus driver permit must demonstrate physical fitness to operate a school bus by undergoing a medical examination in accordance with Section 1035.20;

g)         affirm under penalty of perjury that the applicant has not made a false statement or knowingly concealed a material fact in any application for a permit;

h)         complete initial training. After satisfactory completion of initial training, an annual refresher course will be required.  Refresher courses and the agency or organization conducting those courses shall be approved by the Secretary of State.  Failure to complete the annual refresher course shall result in cancellation of the permit until the course is completed;

i)          not have been under an order of court supervision for or convicted of two or more serious traffic offenses, as defined by Section 1035.10, within one year prior to the date of application, that may endanger the life and safety of any of the driver's passengers within the duration of the permit period;

j)          not have been under an order of court supervision for or convicted, within three years prior to the date of application, of reckless driving (see IVC Section 11-503), aggravated reckless driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof (see IVC Section 11-501) or reckless homicide (see Section 9-3 of the Criminal Code of 1961 [720 ILCS 5]) resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;

k)         consent, in writing, to the release of results of reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing under IVC Section 6-106.1c by the employer of the applicant to the Secretary of State;

l)          not have been convicted of committing or attempting to commit any one or more of the offenses set forth in IVC Section 6-106.1(a)(11) or 6-106.1(a)(16);

m)        not have been repeatedly involved as a driver in motor vehicle collisions or been repeatedly convicted of offenses against laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic, to a degree that indicates lack of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable care in the safe operation of a motor vehicle or disrespect for the traffic laws and the safety of other persons upon the highway in accordance with 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1040.40;

n)         not have, through the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, caused an accident resulting in the death of any person; and

o)         not have, within the last five years, been adjudged to be afflicted with or suffering from any mental disability or disease.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 17659, effective November 22, 2024)