Motor Vehicles Record Check
A bus driver’s driving record must be acceptable according to the standards developed by the Department of Public Safety and the Frisco ISD. A pre-employment driver license check is required for school bus drivers in Texas. This check covers the driver’s motor vehicle record (accidents, tickets, etc) for the past three years.

Frisco ISD maintains a procedure that no new employee may be hired with more than five penalty points within the last three years. No one may drive a school bus whose driving record shows 10 or more penalty points during the three year period prior to the current driving year.

Criminal History Record Check
All potential employees are subject to a criminal history record check. Criminal history must be acceptable according to standards developed by Frisco ISD and state law.

Annual Physical Examination
“It shall be unlawful for any person to be employed to drive a motor vehicle while in use as a school bus for the transportation of pupils who has not undergone a physical examination which reveals physical and mental capabilities to safely operate a school bus.” All school bus drivers must complete a Texas Department of Public Safety physical examination before driving students in an FISD vehicle or be subject to suspension, without pay.

Drug Testing
Job applicants are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing before they are hired.

Training

Transportation employees receive initial and continuous training to enhance their skill.

The Transportation Department is committed to continuously improving our service through the education of our employees. All of our driver training staff have been certified by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) at Texas A&M University as school bus driver trainers. All new applicants spend a minimum of 10 hours driving time to prepare for their Commercial Drivers License test. Another six hours is spent training an individual on their specific route.

School Bus Driver Certification
Successful completion of the school bus driver training course is required of all drivers.

School bus drivers shall have in their possession a certificate indicating enrollment in or completion of the 20-hour course. Drivers are responsible for renewing their certification every three years by completing an eight-hour refresher course.

Special Needs Training
All employees will receive training in special needs transportation. A basic course in student management, route driving, student loading and unloading, and wheelchair securement, as well as, additional specialized training for individual students is offered as needed. All employees are CPR and First-Aid certified. All employees receive Crisis Prevention Institute training.

Evaluation and Retraining
The Transportation Department routinely evaluates driver performance and incorporates training into the process. Drivers are observed and given feedback and direction to enhance operational skills.

Drivers performing below expected levels are retrained. A driver trainer is assigned to the individual to provide one-to-one interaction and assure improved performance.