DMV and GTSC Offer Back to School Safety Tips as New Year Begins

As the new school year begins, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) are offering some important safety tips for students and drivers. DMV is also sharing information on how to become qualified to drive a school bus. 

“The start of a new school year is an exciting time, but it is also the time to remind drivers and pedestrians alike to share the road responsibly,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.  “Drivers should always watch for children walking or riding bicycles to and from school and be prepared to stop for school buses. We urge parents to make sure their children know how to safely get on and off the bus.” 

It is estimated that as many as 50,000 drivers statewide pass stopped school buses with their red lights flashing each day. Some of those instances have been caught on video, capturing a driver recklessly driving past a school bus and nearly hitting a child trying to get off. Paying attention and follow the tips below can go a long way toward protecting students and drivers alike. 

Sharing the Road with School Buses 

• School buses make frequent stops and typically travel at slower speeds. Be patient, slow down and be prepared to stop for them.
• Yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop – so slow down!
• Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on the right or left—this means that students are getting on or off the bus. Watch for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.
• Look for children at bus stops and those running to bus stops.
• School buses are required to stop at railroad crossings by law—so be prepared to stop at railroad crossings if driving behind a school bus.
• Be distraction-free. Never use electronic devices while driving and be sure to actively focus on the road and your surroundings 

Tips for Motorists 

• Watch carefully for children near school buildings, in areas where school buses are traveling or where there are signs for school zones or bus stops.
• When school is opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon, the area around the school is very busy and crowded. There will be many children using the crosswalk. Drivers, bikers and or anyone on a scooter must stop to allow people in the crosswalk to cross the street.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic. 

Tips for Students 

Whether walking to and from school or taking the bus, it is important that students know important safety measures to protect themselves. It is especially important to remind young children and first-time students of these important tips before they leave for school.   

• Look carefully to the left, right, and left again when crossing the street.
• When you are waiting for the school bus, you should wait at the bus stop and stand well back from the curb.
• When you get off the bus:
  • Look to the rear of the bus before you step off the bottom step. The Pupil Transportation Safety Institute tell us that more and more motorists are passing stopped school buses on the right shoulder - where the door is.
  • Take 5 giant steps straight out the bus door and out of the danger zone (areas around buses where the driver can’t see you).
  • Make sure you make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver to signal you before you cross in front of the bus.
  • Never go back for anything you have left on the bus.
  • Never bend down near or under the bus.
• Your school district probably has a school bus behavior policy. Your bus driver’s number one interest is your safety, so it is important to listen to your bus driver in case there are any special instructions for your bus ride. Be sure to sit quietly in your seat and limit distractions. 

Information For Prospective Bus Drivers 

Amid a severe shortage of school bus drivers in 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to remove barriers for prospective school bus drivers applying for a commercial driver license. In 2022, DMV began to allow third parties to conduct commercial road tests, significantly increasing the capacity for these types of road tests statewide. 

Last year, at the Governor’s direction, the DMV implemented a federal waiver that allows school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment component, also called the “under the hood” component of the commercial driver license road test. 

• The steps interested New Yorkers should take to get a School Bus Only CDL are as follows: 
  First, you must have a New York State driver license (Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL C).
• Study the New York State Commercial Driver’s Manual.
• Apply for a commercial learner permit (CLP) at a DMV office. You must pass a written knowledge test to receive a CDL permit with the school bus and passenger endorsements.
• Schedule entry level driver training. Read the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) FAQ for more information.
• Prepare for your road test and practice with a supervising driver.
• Schedule your “Limited School Bus" road test.
• Pass your “Limited School Bus” road test.
• Go to a DMV office to amend your license to reflect “S1” (school bus only) and “K” (intrastate only) restrictions.  

For more information, visit the DMV website or follow the conversation on Facebook, X and Instagram.  

For more information about the GTSC, visit the website or follow the conversation on GTSC's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts.

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