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 to 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.

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
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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)