Pupil Transportation

School Bus Driver Training Instructor

Published: 3/14/2023 9:39 AM

The Kentucky Department of Education Pupil ​​Transportation School Bus Driver Training Instructor Program currently has 719 state certified School Bus Driver Training Instructors who are responsible for training approximately 8,519 certified School Bus Drivers statewide.​ 

All certified​ School Bus Driver Training Instructors are required t​​o complete an initial​ 5-day certification course and a 6-hour annual update training. Kentucky is nationally recognized for it's school bus driver training with many states modeling our program. Please note​ that KDE does not charge a fee for training.​​


Photo of Joe Shepherd teaching a Driver Trainer Instructor class.



2023 Driver Training Instructor Workshop Schedule​



​​Class #1


Note: Only 1 trainee per district allowed for this workshop.

​April 3-7, 2023
​8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Conference Center
Room C118
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601

​Class #2​​


​June 5-9, 2023
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Conference Center 
Room C118
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601

​​​Class #3

​July 10-14, 2023
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Conference Center 
Room C118
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601

​Class #4

​July 17-21, 2023​
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Conference Center 
Room C118
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601

School Bus Driver Training Instructor​ Workshop Requirements

There is a limit of 4 trainees per district for the year. 

***Each trainee requires a laptop or tablet to access materials and create content. If a laptop or tablet is not available, contact Joe Shepherd​ for additional information.
 
All trainees will be evaluated on driving, loading and unloading, railroad track procedures, and driving skills.
 
All trainees must:​
  • have safe and acceptable driving techniques
  • be able to speak in front of peers
  • be knowledgeable of basic school bus driver procedures
  • be coachable
  • be computer literate (must be able to submit bus driver records to KDE and KYTC online​)​

The following are required for all trainees prior to class:

  • Must meet all applicable state and federal qualification requirements for a CMV instructor​
  • A valid Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) ​​with (P) passenger and (S) ​​​school bus endorsements
  • A valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (often referred to as a DOT Card)​
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience driving a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL of the same or higher class and/or the same endorsement
  • Be recommended by their ​​Director of Transportation​
  • A school district email address prior to registering
    • ​Trainees will receive​ an email prior to class to register as a District User of KDE's Driver Database (see below). Trainees must check their school district email address frequently.
  • Be registered as a District User for KDE Web Applications (contact your local district WAAPOC)​

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​Joe Shepherd
Office of Finance and Operations​
Division of District Support
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5279 Ext. 4411


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