Transportation
Education Service Center Region 11 provides a variety of services to school transportation departments.
ESC Region 11 establishes and maintains a database of school bus driver certification records, files reports, and assists school districts in maintaining strict compliance with the provisions described in all applicable statutes, rules, and requirements pertaining to the operation of the student transportation system.
The transportation of pupils to and from school is an integral part of a sound educational program. Competent school bus drivers are needed to provide safe and effective transportation for students.
Becoming a School Bus Driver
School bus drivers are held to a higher standard of conduct than average citizens, and there are specific laws that govern the conduct of school bus drivers. For the protection of the driver and all passengers applicable laws must be known and obeyed.
To become a Texas school bus driver, applicants must meet certain qualifications.
Applicants must obtain a commercial learner permit (CLP) and a DOT physical, complete an approved entry-level driver training (ELDT) program, schedule and pass a road/skills test and enroll in a 20-hour school bus driver safety training class.
School bus drivers must also be at least 18 years old and be free of a felony or misdemeanor convictions for a crime involving moral turpitude.
ESC Region 11 Training Courses & Handbooks
Our training courses are designed to promote the competency of school bus drivers throughout the state. School Bus Driver Safety Education Certification Training is a state-mandated program providing twenty (20) hours of certification training to all school bus drivers and an eight (8) hour re-certification training to drivers every three years.
We provide training for new and experienced bus drivers and we offer specialized training to assist transportation staff in student behavior management and other related areas.
- Bus Driver Training Courses - View the current list of bus driver certification courses offered by ESC Region 11.
- Participant Handbook (Texas School Bus Driver 20-Hour Certification)
- Participant Handbook (Texas School Bus Driver 20-Hour Certification)
- Online Bus Driver Recertification (Module 1) - ESC Region 11, in cooperation with ESC Region 4, is offering School Bus Driver Recertification as an online course. This course consists of eight modules which must be completed in order beginning with module 1.
- Participant Handbook (Texas School Bus Driver 8-Hour Recertification)