Objectives

• To provide training for Colorado Springs School District 11 teachers, coaches, and other district employees and representatives (not assigned to the District’s Transportation Department) who transport students in small vehicles (those designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver).

• To develop an understanding of control techniques for the type of vehicle being operated. Certifying individuals to drive specific vehicle types under specified conditions.

District Restrictions

• All vehicles owned, leased or rented by the district or its representatives will be operated by drivers who have obtained the proper level of training for the type of vehicle being operated.

• District 11 students will not be transported in vehicles with a rated capacity of 10 or more passengers without permission of the District 11 Risk Management Claims Adjuster. (Risk Management – Phone 520-2262 / 520-2398)

• Parents that volunteer to drive their own vehicles must be registered with the D-11 Communications and Community Services office. This office can be reached at 520-2162.

• Must be at least 21 years of age

• Must have a valid Colorado Drivers License

• Must have an acceptable driving record (no suspensions or terminations, no drug or alcohol related convictions, and can not have 6 or more points on their driving record). A review of the individual’s driving record will be conducted annually.

• Must complete the District approved pre-service training program for small vehicle operators.

• Must successfully pass a written test approved by the Colorado Department of Education with a score of 85% or better, and annually thereafter.

• Drivers of District Activities Buses will complete an annual in-vehicle refresher for approximately 1.0 hours.

• Drivers of District Activities Buses will be subject to initial, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident / citation drug and alcohol testing.

Instruction will be conducted in three progressive blocks. Successful completion of each block will qualify an individual to be certified to drive specific vehicle types and under specified conditions.

 Objectives:

• To provide instruction on the driving techniques used to safely transport students from school to school, or to and from school related events and activities in vehicles designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers (including the driver).

• Instruction will emphasize driving courtesy, applicable State statutes, characteristics of the vehicles being driven, adverse weather driving, an overview of the Colorado Drivers Manual (as applicable) and review of CDE small vehicle regulations (as applicable).

• Individual will be able to pass the CDE annual written test.

• To provide instruction and hands-on experience that will enable the driver to safely and effectively operate an activity bus (capacity equal to or less than 15 passengers including driver). Classification will be limited to trips north and south along the Front Range of Colorado, on roads not classified as mountainous terrain by the Colorado Department of Education.

• To become knowledgeable of safety procedures for operating in adverse weather conditions with a bus. Capable of passing the CDE Adverse Weather Test for Drivers with a score of 80% or more.

• To receive a D-11 Transportation Department Certification to drive an Activity Bus (Rated 15 passengers and below).

Block III Activity Bus  Classroom: 1.0 hrs

In Vehicle: 1.0 hrs

• To provide instruction and hands-on experience, that will enable the driver to safely and effectively operate an activity bus (capacity equal to or less than 15 passengers including driver), in all terrain (mountainous) and conditions experienced in Colorado.

• To become knowledgeable of safety procedures for operating in mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions with a bus. Capable of passing the CDE Mountainous Driving Test with a score of 80% or more.

• To receive a D-11 Transportation Department Certification to drive an Activity Bus (Rated 15 passengers and below) in Mountainous Terrain.