CHAPTER 3. Specialized Vehicle Driver Training Courses [40080. - 40090.5.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 3.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40080. Section 40080.

(a) This article governs the minimum training required for drivers to obtain or renew a certificate described in Section 12517, 12519, or 12804.6 of the Vehicle Code. (b) As used in this article, “department” means the State Department of Education.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40081. Section 40081.

(a) The department shall develop or approve courses for training school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, and farm labor vehicle drivers that will provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for certification pursuant to Sections 12517, 12519, and 12804.6 of the Vehicle Code. The department shall seek the advice and assistance of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol in developing or approving those courses. (b) The department shall train or approve the necessary instructional personnel to conduct the driver training courses. For all schoolbus and school pupil activity bus (SPAB) driver instructor training, the department shall provide for and approve the course outline and lesson plans used in the course. For transit bus and farm labor vehicle driver training, the department shall approve the course outline and lesson plans used in the course. (c) All courses of study and training activities required by this article shall be approved by the department and given by, or in the presence of, an instructor in possession of a valid school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor certificate of the appropriate class. (d) As an alternative to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), instructors who have received a certificate from the Transportation Safety Institute of the United States Department of Transportation indicating that they have completed the Mass Transit Instructor Orientation and Training (Train-the-Trainer) course may approve courses of instruction and train transit bus drivers in order to meet the requirements for certification pursuant to Section 12804.6 of the Vehicle Code.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40082. Section 40082.

(a) An original applicant for a certificate to drive a schoolbus, as defined by Section 545 of the Vehicle Code, shall have successfully completed a minimum 40-hour course of instruction. The course shall include at least 20 hours of classroom instruction in, but not limited to, all units of the Instructor’s Manual for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course. All classroom instruction shall be given by, or in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. The course shall also include at least 20 hours of applicant behind-the-wheel training in all sections of the Instructor’s Behind-the-Wheel Guide for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course. Applicant behind-the-wheel training shall include driving vehicles comparable to those vehicles that will be driven by the applicant to transport pupils. All behind-the-wheel training shall be given by a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class or the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer as designated pursuant to Section 40084.5. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a driver who is holding a driver certificate or endorsement described in Section 40083, and is seeking a schoolbus certificate of the appropriate class, shall have successfully completed a minimum of five hours of classroom instruction, including, but not limited to, schoolbus laws and regulations, defensive driving, pupil loading and unloading, and the exceptional child. All classroom instruction shall be given by, or in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. The driver shall also complete at least three hours of behind-the-wheel training in defensive driving practices, lane control, railroad grade crossing procedures, and pupil loading and unloading. (c) A driver may not be certified to drive a schoolbus in the manner set forth in subdivision (b) if that driver was instructed by a person who received his or her certificate in the manner described in subdivision (d) of Section 40081.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40083. Section 40083.

An original applicant for a certificate to drive any bus defined by Section 546 or 642 of the Vehicle Code shall have successfully completed a minimum 35-hour course of instruction. The course shall include at least 15 hours of classroom instruction, including, but not limited to, all units of the Instructor’s Manual for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course, or other classroom curricula which the department has certified meets or exceeds the standards in its curricula. All classroom instruction shall be given by, or in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class, except that an instructor who has received a certificate as described in subdivision (d) of Section 40081, may provide the training for an original applicant for a certificate to drive a bus defined by Section 642 of the Vehicle Code. The course shall also include at least 20 hours of applicant behind-the-wheel training in all sections of the Instructor’s Behind-the-Wheel Guide for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course, or at least 20 hours of other behind-the-wheel training or driving experience that the department has certified meets or exceeds the standards of its training course. Applicant behind-the-wheel training shall include driving vehicles comparable to those vehicles that will be used to transport passengers. All behind-the-wheel training for a certificate to drive a bus defined by Section 546 of the Vehicle Code shall be given by a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class or the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer as designated pursuant to Section 40084.5. All behind-the-wheel training for a certificate to drive a bus defined by Section 642 of the Vehicle Code shall be given by a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class or the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer as designated pursuant to Section 40084.5, or the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer as designated by the instructor certified pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 40081.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40084. Section 40084.

An original applicant for a certificate to drive a farm labor vehicle shall have successfully completed a minimum 20-hour course of instruction. The course shall include at least 10 hours of classroom instruction, including, but not limited to, all units of the Instructor’s Manual for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course. All classroom instruction shall be given by, or in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. The course shall also include at least 10 hours of applicant behind-the-wheel training in all sections of the Instructor’s Behind-the-Wheel Guide for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course. Applicant behind-the-wheel training shall include driving vehicles comparable to those that will be driven by the applicant to transport farm passengers. All behind-the-wheel training shall be given by a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class or the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer as designated pursuant to Section 40084.5.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40084.5. Section 40084.5.

(a) All behind-the-wheel training required to obtain certificates pursuant to Sections 12517 and 12519 of the Vehicle Code shall be performed by a state-certified instructor or by a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer who has been certified or approved by the department to conduct the required training. (b) A “delegated behind-the-wheel trainer” means a person selected to assist a state-certified instructor in the behind-the-wheel training of drivers. Selected persons shall be trained by state-certified instructors and approved by the department before conducting any behind-the-wheel training. The minimum standards for the selection of a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer are as follows: (1) One year experience as a driver of the appropriate type and size vehicle immediately preceding the date of selection as a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer. (2) Possession of the appropriate license, certificates, and endorsements needed to drive and train in a particular type and size vehicle. (3) A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent. (4) A driving record without chargeable accidents within the past three years immediately preceding the date of selection. (5) Successful completion of all training in the latest edition of the Instructor’s Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide for California’s Bus Driver’s Training Course given by, and in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. (6) Successful completion of a written assessment test on current laws, regulations, and policies given by, and in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. (7) Successful completion of a driving test and a behind-the-wheel training performance test on all phases of behind-the-wheel and vehicle inspection training. The test shall be given by, and in the presence of, a state-certified instructor of the appropriate class. (c) The state-certified instructor shall train and document the qualifications and competence of each delegated behind-the-wheel trainer to be utilized in training. All training required by this section shall be documented on the State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01, and signed by a state-certified school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor of the appropriate class, and by the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer. The signatures shall certify that the instruction was given to, and received by, the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer and that the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer displayed a level of competency necessary to train drivers to drive authorized vehicles in a safe and competent manner. The completed State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01 shall be submitted to the department in Sacramento, along with all other required documents, when requesting approval of a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer. (d) The department may disapprove the eligibility of a delegated behind-the-wheel trainer for any of the following causes: (1) The state-certified instructor authorizing the competency of the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer has requested disapproval. (2) The employer of the delegated behind-the-wheel trainer has requested disapproval. (3) The delegated behind-the-wheel trainer has voluntarily requested disapproval. (4) The delegated behind-the-wheel trainer failed to comply with Section 40087. (5) The delegated behind-the-wheel trainer failed to comply with Section 40084.5. (6) The delegated behind-the-wheel trainer does not possess a valid driver’s license, appropriate endorsements, or special driver’s certificate of the appropriate class. (7) The delegated behind-the-wheel trainer’s driver’s license or special driver’s certificate has been suspended or revoked. (e) A delegated behind-the-wheel trainer may be limited in behind-the-wheel training as determined by the department.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40085. Section 40085.

Applicants seeking to renew a certificate to drive a schoolbus as defined in Section 545 of the Vehicle Code or a school pupil activity bus as defined in Section 546 of the Vehicle Code shall have successfully completed at least 10 hours of original or renewal classroom instruction, or behind-the-wheel or in-service training, during each 12 months of certificate validity. In-service training credit may be given by a state-certified driver instructor of the appropriate class to an applicant for attending or participating in appropriate driver training workshops, driver safety meetings, driver safety conferences, and other activities directly related to passenger safety and driver training. During the last 12 months of the special driver certificate validity, the 10 hours required shall consist of classroom instruction covering, but not limited to, current laws and regulations, defensive driving, accident prevention, emergency procedures, passenger loading and unloading, and the inspection procedures pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 39831.3. Failure to successfully complete the required training during any 12-month period of certificate validity is cause for the Department of Motor Vehicles to cancel the bus driver certificate. All training required by Section 40089 may be accepted in lieu of the requirements of this section.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40085.5. Section 40085.5.

Applicants seeking to renew a certificate to drive a transit bus as defined in Section 642 of the Vehicle Code shall have successfully completed at least eight hours of original or renewal classroom instruction, or behind-the-wheel or in-service training during each 12 months of certificate validity. In-service training credit may be given by a state-certified driver instructor of the appropriate class, or an instructor certified pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 40081, to an applicant for attending or participating in appropriate driver training workshops, driver safety meetings, driver safety conferences, and other activities directly related to passenger safety and driver training. During the last 12 months of the validity of the certificate, the eight hours required shall consist of classroom instruction covering, but not limited to, current laws and regulations, defensive driving, accident prevention, emergency procedures, and passenger loading and unloading. Failure to successfully complete the required training during any 12-month period of certificate validity is cause for the Department of Motor Vehicles to cancel the busdriver certificate. All training required by Section 40089 may be accepted in lieu of the requirements of this section.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40086. Section 40086.

Applicants seeking to renew a certificate to drive a farm labor vehicle shall have successfully completed two hours of classroom instruction for each 12 months of certificate validity covering, but not limited to, current laws and regulations, accident prevention, and defensive driving. Failure to successfully complete the required training during any 12-month period of certificate validity is cause for the Department of Motor Vehicles to cancel the farm labor vehicle driver license or certificate. All training required in Section 40089 may be accepted in lieu of the requirements of this section.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40087. Section 40087.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), driver training required by this chapter shall be properly documented on the State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01, and signed by a state-certified school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor of the appropriate class, and by the driver or applicant. The signatures certify that the instruction was given to, and received by, the applicant or driver, and that the applicant or driver displayed a level of competency necessary to drive the vehicle in a safe and competent manner. The applicant or driver shall present the completed State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01 to the examining state agency when applying for an endorsement or certificate, or, for renewal of an endorsement or certificate. (b) Driver training provided by an instructor certified pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 40081 shall be documented on a form developed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, with the consultation of the department. The form shall be signed by the instructor and by the applicant or driver. The signatures certify that the instruction was given to, and received by, the applicant or driver, and that the applicant or driver displayed a level of competency necessary to drive the vehicle in a safe and competent manner. The applicant or driver shall present the completed form to the Department of Motor Vehicles when applying for a certificate or for renewal of a certificate.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40088. Section 40088.

(a) An applicant for a school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor certificate shall successfully complete the appropriate instructor course given or approved by the department. (b) An applicant for the course shall possess: (1) A valid driver’s license and endorsement valid for driving the vehicles for which the driver instructor rating is sought. (2) A certificate or endorsement valid for driving the vehicles for which the driver instructor rating is sought. (3) Five years of experience as a driver in the appropriate vehicle category, or two years experience of that driving experience and three years equivalent experience driving vehicles that require a class A or B driver’s license. (4) A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent. (5) A driving record without chargeable accidents within the past three years preceding the date of application for the instructor certificate. The department may waive any or all of the requirements of this subdivision as it determines is necessary to ensure that there are an adequate number of state-certified instructors in the state. (c) (1) A state-certified schoolbus driver instructor of the appropriate class may instruct all applicants for a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, or farm labor vehicle driver’s certificate. (2) A state-certified school pupil activity bus (SPAB) driver instructor of the appropriate class may instruct all applicants for a school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, or farm labor vehicle driver’s certificate, but not a schoolbus certificate. (3) A state-certified transit bus instructor of the appropriate class may instruct all applicants for a transit bus or farm labor driver’s certificate, but not a school pupil activity bus (SPAB) or a schoolbus certificate. (4) A state-certified farm labor vehicle driver instructor may instruct applicants only for a certificate to drive a farm labor vehicle. (d) A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor certificate shall be valid until suspended, revoked, or canceled if it is accompanied by a valid driver’s license and a special driver’s certificate or valid driver’s license and endorsement of the appropriate class or is limited to classroom or in-service training only. (e) The department may suspend or revoke a school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor certificate for any of the following causes: (1) The certificate holder failed to comply with Section 40087. (2) The certificate holder failed to comply with Section 40084.5. (3) The certificate holder has committed an act listed in Section 13369 of the Vehicle Code or Section 13370 of that code. (f) The department shall revoke a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor certificate if the certificate holder falsified a State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01, T-02, or T-03. (g) The department may cancel the driver instructor certificate for any of the following causes: (1) The certificate holder has voluntarily requested cancellation. (2) The certificate holder has his or her driving privilege suspended or revoked. (3) The certificate holder has failed to meet the provisions required for retention of the driver instructor certificate. This includes failure to meet the instructor training requirements prescribed by Section 40084.5. (4) The certificate holder does not possess a valid driver’s license, endorsement, or special driver’s certificate of the appropriate class. (h) The department shall by regulation adopt an instructor certificate appeals procedure for subdivisions (e), (f), and (g). (i) The Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of the California Highway Patrol may disallow the driver training documentation provided pursuant to Section 40087 signed by any driver instructor certified pursuant to Section 40081 if either of those departments finds that the instructor’s certificate would have been suspended, revoked, or canceled for any of the reasons designated in subdivision (e), (f), or (g).

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40089. Section 40089.

(a) A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor with no instructional limitations shall conduct at least 20 hours of instruction each 12 months that includes at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel and 10 hours of classroom training, which need not be given in a single session. A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor limited to either classroom or behind-the-wheel training only shall conduct at least 10 hours of instruction each 12 months that includes at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel or classroom training depending on the limitation. The training need not be given in a single session. A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor limited to in-service training only shall conduct at least 10 hours of in-service training each 12 months. All school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, and farm labor vehicle driver instructor training conducted by department staff may be accepted in lieu of the requirements of this subdivision. (b) A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor may be limited to classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training or in-service training only, and prohibited from recording, documenting, or signing for any training required by this article, as determined by the department. (c) A school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor shall be limited to behind-the-wheel instruction in vehicles that the instructor is qualified to drive. (d) All school pupil activity bus (SPAB), transit bus, schoolbus, or farm labor vehicle driver instructor training required by subdivision (a) shall be properly documented on a State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01, and signed by the state-certified instructor at the end of each 12-month training period. The signature certifies that the required instruction was conducted during the 12-month training period. Upon renewal of the instructor driver’s license, endorsement, or certificate, the completed instructor training record, recorded on the State Department of Education Training Certificate T-01, shall be submitted to the department in Sacramento.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40090. Section 40090.

The department may assess fees to any instructor applicant who will be training drivers of any vehicle as defined in Section 322, 545, 546, or 642 of the Vehicle Code. The fees may not be more than necessary to offset the department’s reasonable costs.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 40090.5. Section 40090.5.

Employers shall take all action necessary to make available to every transit busdriver required to be trained pursuant to Section 40083 or 40085.5 the opportunity to be trained without the loss of wages or benefits.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026