Section outline

    • Your Personal Pre-Trip Page
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      The personal pre-trip is just as important as the vehicle pre-trip. Factors that influence a driver’s well-being are physical, emotional, and mental attitude. Stress in any of these areas can affect driving performance. Under physical, emotional, or mental stress a driver may have trouble concentrating and may experience slowed reaction time.


    • 5 KEYS TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL OPERATOR Page
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    • WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES? Page
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      Your responsibilities require a great amount of public contact and also public expectations. You are driving a vehicle with the name of your school district/charter/service provider/company displayed. If something goes wrong on the route, it is likely that your district/charter/service provider will receive a phone call before you return. As a small vehicle operator, you offer a transportation service to many different and challenging customers. Who are your customers? The customers riding in your vehicle will include students, who may be very young and may include young adults, through age 26. Other customers may include supervisors, teachers, parents, and coaches.


    • TYPES OF VEHICLES Page
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      As a Small Capacity Vehicle Activity Operator driving a vehicle with a capacity of 15 or fewer passengers (counting the driver), including Type A Multi-function Bus and Small Vehicle, you are not required to have a Commercial Driver's License.  However, you must submit a current copy of a valid driver's license to your transportation department.  School Districts, charters, and contractors must then get a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) to determine if you are eligible for insurance coverage through the district, charter, or contractor insurance carrier.  

    • Driver Role and Responsibility Quiz
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    • Small Vehicle ACTIVITY Operator Requirements Page
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    • Additional Requirements Page
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      Pre-Trip and Post-Trip

      Training shall be provided concerning pre-trip and post-trip procedures for the type of vehicle to be operated. The district/charter and service provider procedures for reporting defects should be part of the pre-trip training. The operator of any school transportation vehicle shall perform and document a daily pre-trip prior to a vehicle being placed in service. The post-trip shall be completed at the end of the daily operations of each vehicle. 

      1 CCR 301-26, 10.1 Each school transportation vehicle shall have a daily pre-trip and post-trip inspection performed and documented by the school transportation vehicle operator or other transportation employee authorized by the school district, charter school, or service provider. A daily pre-trip inspection shall be completed prior to a vehicle being placed in service. A daily post-trip inspection shall be completed at the end of daily operation of each vehicle. 

      1 CCR 301-26, 10.3 The pre-trip and post-trip inspection requirements for school transportation small capacity vehicles shall include at a minimum all items listed on the CDE School Transportation Vehicle (Small Capacity Vehicle) – Pre-Trip and Post Trip Requirements Form (STU-8).

      Safety Restraints and Safety Belt Use

      The greatest lifesaving and injury-reducing safety device drivers have on the bus for their own protection is the safety belt. However, if you do not use it, not only are you exposing yourself, your passengers, and other motorists to danger, but you are violating the law. Not only are you required to wear your seat belt per 1 CCR 301-26, 16.01 in addition, but 16.02 also requires that all passengers in the vehicle, if it is under 10,000 GVWR, must use their seat belts as well. As the driver, it is your responsibility to ensure that all of your passengers are secured in their seat belts prior to placing the vehicle in motion.

      1CCR 301-26, 16.1 A school transportation vehicle operator shall have the safety belt fastened, worn correctly, and properly adjusted prior to the school transportation vehicle being placed in motion. 

      16.2 All passengers in a school transportation vehicle under 10,000 lbs. GVWR shall have their safety belts fastened, worn correctly, and properly adjusted prior to the school transportation vehicle being placed in motion.

      Restrictions Regarding Carry-On Items

      As the driver of a small vehicle, whether it be on a route or on an activity trip, it is your responsibility to ensure that all carry-on items are managed and secured. Keep in mind that in the event of a crash all items that have not been properly secured could become airborne, especially if it involves a rollover.

      We all know that students carry a considerable number of items especially if they are travelling to a sporting event. The best practice in the school transportation industry is that if a student can hold the item(s) then they are permitted to bring it aboard. However, there may be occasions where the item being transported cannot be held by a student. In that situation, it must be properly secured per 1 CCR 301-26 17.2. Items are not permitted to be placed in a seat that extends beyond the height of the seat back. They also cannot be placed in the aisle or in front of any emergency exit.

      1 CCR 301-26
      17.1 A school transportation vehicle operator shall ensure that all carry-on items are properly handled in order to minimize the danger to all others. 

      17.2 All baggage, articles, equipment or medical supplies (except those held by individual passengers) shall be secured in a manner which assures unrestricted access to all exits by occupants, does not restrict the driver's ability to operate the bus and protects all occupants against injury resulting from falling or displacement of any baggage, article, or equipment. Oxygen cylinders meet this standard if they are both medically necessary and secured to a wheelchair, shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection, provided they do not impede access to any exit. School districts, charter schools, and service providers shall use reasonable care in determining the number of cylinders that may be safely transported at one time.

      Emergency Equipment

      Small Capacity Vehicles are required to carry emergency equipment that must be properly secured in the vehicle as well.

      20.0 Emergency Equipment

      20.1 All school transportation vehicles, except for small-capacity vehicles, shall be equipped with at least one pressurized, five-pound, dry-chemical fire extinguisher, with a total rating of not less than 2A10BC. The operating mechanism shall be sealed with a type of seal that will not interfere with the use of the fire extinguisher.

      20.01(a) The fire extinguisher shall be securely mounted in an extinguisher bracket (automatic type) and located in full view of and readily accessible to the driver within the cab, or in a location plainly indicated by appropriate signage. A pressure gauge shall be mounted on the extinguisher to be easily read without removing the extinguisher from its mounted position.

      20.01(b) Fire extinguishers shall be inspected annually for charging and certification to standards by a certified fire extinguisher technician.

      20.2 Small-capacity vehicles shall be equipped with one securely mounted, 2 ½ pound, dry chemical fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 1A10BC.

      20.3 First Aid Kit: All school transportation vehicles shall carry one First Aid Kit which shall be securely mounted in full view of the driver or with the location plainly indicated by appropriate signage. Additional kits may be installed. The kit(s) shall be mounted for easy removal.

      20.03(a) The kit shall be sealed. The seal verifies the integrity of the contents without opening the kit. The seal shall be designed to allow easy access to the kit’s contents. If zip ties are used to seal the kit, they must be breakaway zip ties.

      20.03(b) Consideration should be given to replacing items in the First Aid Kit every 36 months due to the breakdown of materials.

      20.4       Emergency Reflectors: All school transportation vehicles shall carry three bidirectional emergency triangle reflectors in compliance with Section 42-4-230, C.R.S. and with FMVSS 125, contained in a securely mounted case easily accessible to the driver or in a location plainly indicated by appropriate markings.

      20.5 Body Fluid Cleanup Kit: All school transportation vehicles shall have a one removable body fluid cleanup kit accessible to the driver, within the cab, or in a location plainly indicated by appropriate signage.

      20.05(a) Consideration should be given to replacing items in the Body Fluid Cleanup Kit every 36 months due to the breakdown of materials.

      20.6 All school transportation vehicles shall be equipped with one durable webbing cutter having a full-width handgrip and a protected blade. The cutter shall be mounted in a location accessible to the seated driver.

      20.06(a)  Seat belt cutters shall be replaced after they have been used, or if there is any sign of rust or corrosion on the blade.

      20.7 Emergency Equipment shall be securely mounted, clearly visible, or in a location plainly indicated by appropriate signage.

      Chemicals and Cleaning Supplies

      CDE has placed restrictions on the quantity and what can be carried in a school transportation vehicle. If you were ever involved in a crash and emergency services were to respond to the scene and found students covered in liquids, they would want to know what that liquid is so they would know how to properly treat it. Again, all of these items must be properly secured to the vehicle.

      17.0 Transportation of Miscellaneous Items 

      17.1 A school transportation vehicle operator shall ensure that all carry-on items are properly handled in order to minimize the danger to all others. 

      17.2 All baggage, articles, equipment, or medical supplies (except those held by individual passengers) shall be secured in a manner that assures unrestricted access to all exits by occupants, does not restrict the driver's ability to operate the bus and protects all occupants against injury resulting from falling or displacement of any baggage, article, or equipment. Oxygen cylinders meet this standard if they are both medically necessary and secured to a wheelchair, shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection, provided they do not impede access to any exit. School districts, charter schools, and service providers shall use reasonable care in determining the number of cylinders that may be safely transported at one time. 

      17.3 All chemicals and cleaning supplies carried on a school transportation vehicle must meet the following precautions: 

      17.03(a) Container is non-breakable; 

      17.03(b) Container is labeled with contents

      17.03(c) Pressurized aerosols are 14 prohibited; 

      17.03(d) Container is secured in a bracket, or in a closed compartment in the driver’s area or a compartment on the exterior of the bus; and

      17.03(e) Containers and quantities of products are no more than 32 ounces in size.

      Decorations

      We all know that children like decorations, however, the school bus is not the proper place for decorations, particularly if they potential could block a driver’s view or impede an emergency exit.

      17.4 Interior decorations shall not be located within the driver’s area (including the space in front of the front barriers, the step-well, dash, walls and ceiling, the windshield, the entry door, the driver’s side window, and all windows in front of the front barrier), the first two passenger windows on both sides of the vehicle or all windows on the rear of the vehicle. Other decorations within the passenger compartment shall not;

      17.04(a) Cover any required lettering; 

      17.04(b) Impede the aisle or any emergency exit;

      17.04(c) Hang from the walls and/or ceiling. 

      Decorations on the outside of the vehicle are prohibited as well. The Colorado Minimum Standards Governing School Transportation Vehicles 1 CCR 301-25 specify in detail what exterior color, signage, markings, reflective tape, etc., are permitted on the exterior of a school bus or multifunction bus. 

      17.5 Per the effective date of these rules, school transportation vehicles owned or leased by the district, charter school, and service provider that are used for student transportation shall not have the windows obstructed in any way by advertising, decorations, or vehicle wraps.

      17.05(a) Exception: Tint applied by the vehicle manufacturer to industry standards

      17.05(b) Exception: Route identification is permitted per 1CCR 301-26, Rule 17.04

      Maximum Driving Time

      When calculating your maximum drive/on duty -time it is important to understand that the total number of hours includes ANY on-duty time for ALL employers. You cannot exceed 10 hours of driving time in one 24-hour period. You also, cannot exceed 14 hours of on-duty time in one 24-hour period.

      18.0 Maximum Driving Time for School Transportation Vehicle Operators

      18.1 School transportation vehicle operators, including small capacity vehicle operators, shall not drive (nor shall the school districts, charter schools, or service providers permit or require operators to drive):

      18.01(a) In excess of 10 hours or after being on duty 14 hours until completing 10 hours off-duty. This would include on-duty time for all employers. Ten hours off-duty may be consecutive or accumulated in two or more periods of off-duty time with one period having a minimum of six consecutive hours off-duty. 

      18.01(b) After being on duty for more than 70 hours in any seven consecutive days.

      18.01(c) In case of emergency, an operator may complete the trip without being in violation if such trip reasonably could have been completed absent the emergency. 

      18.2 In lieu of section 18.00 of these rules, a school district, charter school, or service provider may comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR section 395. 

      18.3 Definitions:

      18.03(a) Day - Means any 24-consecutive hour period beginning at the time designated by the school district, charter school, or service provider. 

      18.03(b) On-duty time - Includes all time worked for all employers, including all driving and non-driving duties. 

      18.03(c) Off-duty time - School transportation vehicle operators may consider waiting time (whether compensated time or not) at special events, meal stops, and school-related events as off-duty if the following criteria are met: 

      18.03(c)(1) The operator shall be relieved of all duty and responsibility for the care and custody of the vehicle, its accessories, and students, and 

      18.03(c)(2) The operator shall be at liberty to pursue activities of his/her choice, including leaving the premises on which the bus is located. 

      18.4 All school transportation vehicle operators shall document that they are in compliance with this section, hours of service. 

      18.04(a) An operator's daily log, or equivalent, shall be completed for the trip in the operator's own handwriting when the trip requires a scheduled or unscheduled overnight stay away from the work reporting location.

      Emergency Evacuations

      As the driver of a school transportation vehicle, you could potentially be the only adult present if an emergency occurs. As the adult present, all the students will be looking to you for instructions and leadership in an emergency. Having written documentation that you are conducting evacuations and reading evacuation instructions prior to every activity trip is required per 1 CCR 301-26, 20.0. We will cover emergencies in greater detail in Unit Six. 

      20.0 Emergency Evacuation Drills 

      20.1 Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted with students by all school transportation vehicle route operators, excluding small-capacity vehicle operators as defined in 301-25, Rule 7.15, and school transportation paraprofessionals at least twice during each school year.

      20.01(a) One drill shall be conducted in the fall and the second drill conducted in the spring.

      20.01(b) Substitute and Multifunction operators shall be trained on how to conduct emergency evacuation drills.

      20.2 Students on school-related events shall receive emergency evacuation instruction prior to every initial departure.

      20.3 School districts, charter schools, and service providers shall maintain records documenting that the required evacuation drills were conducted and/or evacuation instruction was given.

      Distracted Driving

      Approximately 5,500 people are killed each year on U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: Distracted Driving).

      Effects of distracted driving include slowed perception, which may cause you to be delayed in perceiving or completely failing to perceive an important traffic event; delayed decision-making and improper action, which can cause you to be delayed in taking the proper action or make incorrect inputs to the steering, accelerator or brakes

      Evidence suggests that text messaging is even riskier than talking on a cell phone because it requires you to look at a small screen and manipulate the keypad with one’s hands.

      Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves both physical and mental distraction simultaneously.

      Research indicates that the burden of talking on a cell phone - even if it is hands-free - saps the brain of 39% of the energy it would ordinarily devote to safe driving. Drivers who use a hand-held device are more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury. CRS 42-4- 239 is the Colorado statute that makes it a crime for a person 18 years of age or older to text while operating a motor vehicle. A violation of this law is a class 2 traffic misdemeanor that is punishable by a minimum fine of $300.

      The code section states that”

      “a person eighteen years of age or older shall not use a wireless telephone for the purpose    of engaging in text messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or transmission while operating a motor vehicle.”

      Ø  Turn off all communication devices. If you must use a mobile phone, make sure it is within close proximity; that it is operable while you are restrained; use an earpiece or the speaker-phone function; use voice-activated dialing; or use the hands-free feature. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function. Do not type or read a text message on a mobile device while driving.

      Ø  Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s features and equipment before you get behind the wheel.

      Ø  Adjust all vehicle controls and mirrors to your preferences prior to driving.

      Ø  Pre-program radio stations and pre-load your favorite CDs.

      Ø  Clear the vehicle of any unnecessary objects and secure cargo.

      Ø  Review maps, program the GPS and plan your route before you begin driving.

      Ø  Do not attempt to read or write while you drive.

      Ø  Avoid eating and drinking while you drive. Leave early to allow yourself time to stop to eat.

      Ø  Do not engage in complex or emotionally intense conversations with other occupants.

      Check your local district/charter or service provider policy regarding the use of a cell phone while on duty.


    • Small Vehicle Activity Operator Requirements Quiz
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