studenttransportation.azdps.govStudent Transportation | Arizona Department of Public Safety

") Skip to main content Arizona Department of Public Safety ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS Search Main menu Home The Colonel Colonel's Statements Command Staff Fallen Troopers Organization Office of the Director Agency Support Division Criminal Investigations Division Highway Patrol Division Technical Services Division Services Public Services Public Service Center Claim Personal Property Concealed Weapons & Permits Courts and Traffic Ticket Information File a Commendation Fingerprint Clearance Card Licensing Records Request Submit a Tip Tow Truck Application Missing Children Search Sex Offender Compliance Household Goods Enforcement Enforcement Services Chaplaincy Program Commercial Vehicle Enforcement DUI Enforcement GIITEM Impaired Driving Move Over Law Scrap Metal Theft Database Student Transportation WANTED Fugitive Tips Governmental Services ADRS ADOT AFIS Crime Laboratory Simplified Laboratory Reports Quality Assurance Blood Alcohol Toxicology Controlled Substances Latent Prints Firearms/Toolmarks Trace Evidence Questioned Documents DNA Scientific Services Field Services Property and Evidence Crime Victim Services NCJ Tow Program SWIC Department Information Boards & Councils Law Enforcement Merit System Council Retirement Board Meetings Commitments Accessibility Mission Statement Values History Insignia Reports & Publications Request Records Careers Become a Trooper Become a Dispatcher Civilian Careers Benefits DPS Jobs & Descriptions Job Interest Card Job Openings Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Volunteer Selection Guidelines News AZDPS News Digest Blog Live Streams AZDPS Alerts System Amber Alerts Blue Alerts Silver Alerts Public Announcements Retirement Board Meetings Law Enforcement Merit System Council Decisions Meeting Agendas Commercial Vehicle News Public Affairs Unit Colonel's Statements Safety AZDPS Alert System Safety Messages Aggressive Driving Driver Fatigue Drop House Awareness Freeway Camera & Road Conditions Impaired Driving Motorcycles Move Over Law Precursor Chemicals Safety Corridors Seat Belt Safety Share The Road Weather Safety Tips Task Forces Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF) Arizona WANTED Task Force Special Programs Contact Us Silver Alert Silver Alert Home Services Enforcement Services Student Transportation Contact Student Transportation 1 Start 2 Preview 3 Complete Full Name: * Email Address: * [email protected] Phone Number: Comments: * Leave this field blank Preview Student Transportation About Accident/Incident Info Advisory Council Contact Us Forms Industry Regulations Guidelines Links Mission Statement The mission of the DPS Student Transportation Unit is to ensure proper certification of school bus drivers and school bus driver instructors; to establish and maintain a safety and training program; and to continually strive to improve the safety and efficiency of student transportation in the State of Arizona. School Bus Driver Certificate Status Fingerprint Clearance Card Information HISTORY In 1960 the first “Rules and Regulations for Arizona School Bus Operation: Standards and Training Procedures for Drivers” were included in the Arizona Administrative Code. Thus, the Pupil Transportation Program came into existence as part of the Arizona Highway Department, Traffic Safety Division. Three staff members maintained records on approximately 500 school bus drivers and two employees were responsible for training drivers statewide. By 1973 there were over 2,000 certified school bus drivers and the Pupil Transportation Program transferred to the Office of Highway Safety. In 1979 the Program transferred to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division where it remained until 1993 when it transferred to Arizona Department of Public Safety and changed its name to the Student Transportation Unit. At that time there were approximately 5,000 certified school bus drivers and 250 certified instructors. By January 1999 the certified drivers increased to 8,100 and the instructors to 500, a 62% increase in drivers and a 100% increase in instructors in six years. In 1996 a school bus driver database was completed. The program allows immediate access to driver, instructor, accident and other records in a matter of seconds without having to rely on paper files and time consuming research. However, data entry is still required to keep the database current. In 2000 three additional positions were allocated to the Unit bringing the staff to six members. Training History In 1960 one employee was assigned as a statewide trainer. A year later a second trainer was added to the Pupil Transportation Unit. By 1964, five-day new driver training and two-day refresher training clinics were held each summer conducted by personnel from the Traffic Safety Division and the Arizona Highway Patrol. In 1971 a mobile unit traveled throughout the state training drivers at their place of employment replacing the summer clinics saving the school districts approximately $100,000 during that year. Between 1978 and 1982 school bus driver training was completely transformed. In 1982, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, using federal funds, began training school district personnel to conduct their own training. Funding ended one year later. However, school districts continued to be responsible for school bus driver training. The school district instructors were trained and certified by Motor Vehicle Division personnel. In 1996 Arizona Administrative Code (Minimum Standards for School Bus Drivers) incurred several major changes. One of them was the added requirement of testing and certifying behind-the-wheel instructors. It was estimated that this requirement could result in a minimum of 1,200 additional certified instructors by 2001. Primary Functions - School bus driver certifications (approximately 2,300 per year) - Annual renewal of school bus driver certifications (approximately 7,000 each year). - Administer / maintain school bus driver safety and training program. - School bus driver instructor training and certifications (approximately 120 each year). - Administrative Hearing Preparation and Proceedings. - Violation Notices for vehicles illegally passing school buses. - Maintain resource Library. - Customer service. - Compliance reviews (to ensure compliance with state and federal laws/rules). - Complaint investigation (often requiring an on-site visit). Overall Responsibilities - School bus driver training. - School bus emergency evacuation drills. - School bus accident review. - Review / maintain accident reports. - Gather / summarize accident statistics. Ancillary Functions - Drafting legislation and administrative rules. - Federal grant writing and compliance. - Liaison between DPS Student Transportation and in-state school districts (approximately 800 including charter schools), vendors, contract providers, and professional organizations for pupil transportation. - Liaison between DPS Student Transportation and out-of-state professional organizations for pupil transportation and manufacturers. - School bus safety workshops for school bus drivers and students. - Statewide school bus safety public awareness program. If a school bus is involved in an accident: 1. Report the accident to the local law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the collision occurred. 2. The school bus driver shall report the accident to the employer immediately following any accident involving a school bus. 3. Immediately upon receiving notification of any accident involving a school bus, the employer shall notify DPS of the accident by telephone. This can be done 24-hours a day by calling the DPS Duty Office at (602)223-2646. 4. The employer shall submit written verification of the accident to DPS within 72 hours of the telephone notification using the School Bus Accident / Incident Report form. In incidents where a violation of the Minimum Standards for School Buses and School Bus Drivers or state statutes caused injury...