<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 13A.06.07.10" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="07" heading="Instructional Content Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Preservice Instruction for School Vehicle Drivers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A trainee shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction in the core units of the school bus driver instructional program developed by the Department, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>First aid;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Railroad grade crossing safety; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Bridge crossing safety.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All or a portion of the classroom instruction required under §A(1) of this regulation may be waived by the supervisor of transportation if the trainee is currently certified by a local school system.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A trainee shall receive a minimum of 9 hours behind-the-wheel instruction, except if the trainee is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A current holder of a commercial driver's license with a passenger and school bus endorsement for 3 years, and has received a minimum of 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Currently certified as a school vehicle driver by a local school system, and has received a minimum of 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Class size shall be conducive to individualized instruction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In-Service Instruction for School Vehicle Drivers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>At least 6 hours of in-service instruction shall be provided annually.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Five hours shall have an emphasis on safety procedures, strategies, and laws.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In-service instruction topics:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall be selected from the core or advanced units of the school vehicle driver instruction program developed by the Department; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May include other topics contained in the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course, controlled substances and alcohol regulations, or personnel and student safety issues.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>One hour of the 6 hours of in-service instruction may be on-the-bus observation, instruction, or both.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>In-service instruction in the following topics shall be given at least once every 3 years:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>First aid; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Bridge and railroad grade crossing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Class size shall be limited to 35 students except as provided in §B(7) of this regulation. If the number of students exceeds 35, the session does not meet the State instructional requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A maximum of two large-group safety meetings of more than 35 students, not to exceed 2 hours each, may be provided each year.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>At least 2 of the 6 hours per year of in-service instruction shall be conducted in classes of not more than 35 students.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>School Vehicle Driver Recertification.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A school vehicle driver who has been deleted from a school system's driver roster for 1 year or less may be recertified as a school vehicle driver if the individual satisfactorily completes refresher training that includes a minimum of 3 hours of classroom instruction and 3 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, unless the supervisor of transportation determines less refresher training is necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An explanation to support the decision to require less than the minimum refresher training shall be placed in the school vehicle driver's personnel file.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a school vehicle driver has been deleted from the school system’s driver roster for more than 1 year, the school vehicle driver shall complete all school vehicle trainee qualifications as required under Regulation .06A of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>School Vehicle Attendant Instruction.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Preservice Instruction. Before riding in the capacity of a school vehicle attendant on a school vehicle with students on board, a school vehicle attendant shall complete a minimum of 4 hours of preservice instruction that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>1 hour of instruction in first aid; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>1 hour of instruction appropriate to the duties of the school vehicle attendant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In-Service Instruction. A school vehicle attendant annually shall complete 2 hours of in-service instruction in topics that include equipment, student management, and first aid.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Instructional Records. A local school system shall maintain attendance records, electronic or printed format, of all preservice and in-service instructional sessions which include the following information, as appropriate:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Name of the trainee, driver, or attendant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Name of the instructor;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Dates of instruction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Number of hours of classroom instruction and topics of instruction; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Number of hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>