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Using a list of
prequalified bus companies for transporting students to and from extracurricular
activities is the simplest way to assure uniformity throughout a State,
county, or school.
A. If no list
of prequalified bus companies is available, request the bus company's
USDOT number and log on to http://www.safersys.org
for information, including:
- the bus company's
current USDOT safety rating, if issued, and the date of the company's
last compliance review (on-site inspection by motor carrier safety authorities);
- whether the
company is authorized to transport passengers for hire;
- whether the
company has current insurance in force;
- the company's
record of regulatory violations and roadside out-of-service violations,
with a comparison to national averages; and
- the company's
highway crash history.
B. Whether or
not you are working from a list of prequalified bus companies, ask the
following questions:
- Does the driver
have a current commercial driver's license (CDL) with a passenger endorsement?
- Does the driver
possess a valid medical certificate?
- Does the company
have a driver drug and alcohol testing program that complies with U.S.
DOT regulations?
- Will your trip
be completed within the legal limit of 10 driving hours? If not, will
there be a second driver or overnight rest stop scheduled to legally
complete the trip?
- Does the company
have its buses inspected annually? By whom?
- Does the company
have the required $5 million of public liability insurance?
- Does the company
subcontract with others for equipment and/or drivers? If so, what is
the name of the second bus company and its USDOT number?
- Does the company
have notification procedures for roadside emergencies and breakdowns?
Is the driver equipped with a wireless communications device?
The best defense
against a life-endangering incident is a well-qualified, healthy,
and rested driver. Take the time to check out the company and driver
you hire. For more information on ensuring a safe trip, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/bus.htm.
Your students, and their parents, will greatly appreciate it.
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