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 helpful reminders for drivers, pedestrians and even prospective bus drivers.

“A new school year is a critical 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 be aware that more children will be out walking or riding bicycles to and from school. They should also be prepared to stop for school buses, and parents should make sure their children know how to safely get on and off the bus. For college-age students, they should make sure their license and registration are up to date.”

Helpful Information for College Students

College students who may be away for several months are encouraged to make sure that their vehicle registration, safety inspection, auto insurance and driver license are current and don’t expire before their next visit home. Those who will be flying to and from campus should also know that beginning May 7, 2025, a standard driver license or non-driver ID will not be accepted at the TSA security checkpoint. Travelers will be required to have a REAL ID, Enhanced ID or another form of federally-accepted identification to board a domestic flight. New Yorkers must apply for a REAL ID or Enhanced ID in a DMV office. 

Helpful Links: 

• Renew Driver License 
  • Get a REAL or Enhanced ID
• Renew Vehicle Registration
• Find an inspection station
• Check your insurance status
• Download the New York Mobile ID
   

Tips for Grade School 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.

Reminders for Drivers 

• Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing—this means that students are getting on or off the bus. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus, and all drivers are required to stop on any public highway, street, multi-lane divided highway or private road.
• 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!
• 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.

Information For Prospective Bus Drivers

Recognizing the need for additional school bus drivers, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan earlier this year to remove barriers for prospective school bus drivers applying for a commercial driver license. 

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. This makes it easier to get a commercial license at a time when school bus drivers are desperately needed. It is one of many actions by Gov. Hochul to address the critical shortage of truck and bus drivers, including in 2022 when DMV began to allow third parties to conduct commercial road tests. That step significantly increased the capacity for these types of road tests statewide.

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 about the DMV, follow DMV's Facebook, DMV's X and DMV's Instagram. 

For more information about the GTSC, follow GTSC's Facebook, GTSC's X and GTSC's Instagram.

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