| (a) To obtain full initial school bus driver certification, a person must satisfactorily complete the certification course. The training agency shall issue a "Texas School Bus Driver Safety Training Certificate," and submit the necessary verification information electronically to the department within thirty days of course completion. Attached Graphic (b) Driver certification will remain valid for a period of three years as indicated by the expiration date on the certificate. (c) Every school bus driver must hold a valid certificate stating that they have completed, or are enrolled in, the approved school bus driver safety training course. (d) Any school bus driver whose certification has expired shall not operate a school bus, school activity bus, or multifunction school activity bus until such time as they become recertified or obtain an enrollment certificate. The following rules shall apply to certification renewals: (1) To avoid a lapse in certification, the recertification course must be completed prior to expiration. The recertification course shall be completed during the 180 day period immediately preceding certification expiration. If the required training is completed within this preferred time interval, certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the upcoming expiration date indicated on the current certificate. (2) If the recertification course is completed more than 180 days prior to certification expiration, certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the actual date of course completion. (3) During the 12-month interval immediately following certification expiration, the recertification course may be completed for certification renewal. Certification will then be renewed for a period of three years from the actual date of course completion. Failure to satisfactorily complete the recertification course during this time frame will require completion of the initial certification course to reinstate certification status. During this time period, a person shall not drive a school bus, school activity bus, or multifunction school activity bus unless he/she has received an enrollment certificate. Issuance of an enrollment certificate during this dormant time interval will require the successful completion of the certification course in order to reinstate full certification status. (e) Regardless of the reason, any course instruction missed must be completed by arrangement with the training agency. Except as approved by the training agency, all course requirements for certification must be completed within the 180-day period immediately following the start of instruction, otherwise no credit will be given for any class sessions previously attended. The entire course must be completed prior to awarding certification. |
