Authorization to Drive Students

All coaches, teachers and D-11 staff that transport students in vehicles rated at 15 passengers and below, are required to attend the District’s Activity Trip Operator Training Course .  This training is required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). 

To maintain a current Activity Trip Operator Qualification drivers are required by CDE to take an annual written test.

To enroll in a training class or take the annual CDE written test, contact Training, Certification and Safety at 520-2948.

Background Information on Vans Being Used for Student Transportation

For more than two decades the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued numerous warnings against the use of non-conforming vans to transport students. NHTSA reports that between 1993 to 1999, there were at least 71 non-collision van rollovers, causing 126 fatalities. Those accidents included passenger and cargo vans.

NHTSA refers to these small passenger vans, while used in school transportation service, as "non-conforming." The phrase non-conforming van arises principally from two conditions:

• Passenger vans (generally carrying eight to 15 passengers) are not manufactured to the same stringent federal motor vehicle safety standards as traditional yellow school buses. As a result, these vehicles do not provide the same degree of occupant protection to passengers as do school buses.

• When these vans are used in school service--whether for regular route service or, more commonly, for activity or athletic trips--they do not conform to federal law, which requires that children being transported in vehicles in school service must meet several federal safety standards. Hence the term non-conforming.

Fifteen-passenger (non-conforming) vans include the Chevy Express, Ford Econoline, Ford Club Wagon, Dodge Ram Wagon and Van and GMC Savana and Rally/Vandura. These type vehicles, should not be used to transport students under any circumstances, be it commuting to school or for non-curricular activities.

Activity Buses

The District has purchased five 14 – Passenger Vehicles (Modified Type A School Bus / Activity Bus) for use in lieu of renting / leasing 15-passenger vans. These buses are designed to carry 14 passengers plus the driver. Because they carry fewer than 16 passengers, teachers and coaches who lack commercial driver’s licenses can drive these smaller buses after receiving District provided training.

Activity Buses - Limitations on Use

These vehicles are limited to use only by a qualified Activity Trip Operator.

An Activity Trip Operator is a teacher, coach, and / or other district employee or representative that transports students to events sanctioned by the school district other than route operations.  Activity buses may not be used for transporting students from home to school, school to home or on regularly scheduled school-to-school trips.

These vehicles may not be used for personal use or for any reason other than to transport students to and from district-sanctioned events. 

All Activity Buses are limited to paved road operations (no – off road / unimproved roads).

Scheduling of Activity Buses (14 Passenger)

The Activity Buses are assigned one per high school and are controlled by each high school’s athletic director. Activity Buses can be scheduled through the D-11 High School Athletic Directors (AD) by calling:

            School                                   AD Phone Number

Coronado                                        328-3641      

Doherty                                            328-6443

            Palmer                                             328-5043

            Mitchell                                             328-6643

            Wasson                                            328-2031

Events that require more than one activity bus (1 driver, 14 passengers) should consider scheduling a full sized school bus with D-11 Transportation as their first option.  If an additional activity bus becomes necessary, the Activity Trip Operator will have to coordinate with more than one AD to schedule the additional bus(es). 

Costs of Activity Buses

Schools / Organizations will be charged a fee of $.35 per mile for vehicle usage.  Cleaning costs may be assessed, if the bus is not properly cleaned after use.   

Notification of Trips Out of Local Area

If a trip, using a small vehicle is going out of the Pikes Peak region, out of state, or if it will be gone overnight the sponsor will be required to notify Risk Management, Claims Adjuster- Property at 520-2262 prior to the trip.  E-mail can be sent to Linda Burnett at burnelm@d11.org .  

Minimum Requirements for an Activity Trip Operator

1.      Must possess a valid Colorado operator’s license.

2.      Must be at least 21 years of age.

3.      Have a motor vehicle check (annual).

4.      Receive pre-service training on small vehicles (15 passengers or less) from the D-11 Transportation Department.

5.      Pass the Colorado Department of Education Small Vehicle Written Test (annual).          

6.      Shall meet qualification standards and insurance coverage as adopted by the board of education / D-11 Risk Management / D-11 Transportation Department.  

Obtaining An Activity Trip Operator Qualification 

1.      Individuals desiring to drive a small vehicle (15 passengers or less) must have the approval of the principal or designated representative of the school for which they drive.

2.      Training can be scheduled with the D-11 Department of Transportation, Training, Certification and Safety Office at 520-2948.

3.      Applicants will be required to provide The D-11 Transportation Department with a current copy (within the last 2 months) of their motor vehicle driving record (MVR) obtained from the department of motor vehicles. 

4.      The D-11 Director of Transportation or his designated representative will review all moving violations appearing on the driving record to determine eligibility.  Applicants with a total of 6 or more points will not be eligible.

5.      Applicants will be scheduled for a training class and administration of the CDE Activity Trip Operator test.  Drivers will obtain the necessary qualifications upon successful completion of the classes and tests and road drive, when applicable.

6.      The D-11 Transportation Department will send for and review all small vehicle operators’ driving records annually for continued eligibility.  

Training and Qualification of Activity Trip Bus Operators

Classroom instruction, on the road training and testing as required by the Colorado Department of Education, is provided by the D-11 Transportation Department.  Training classes are scheduled monthly. 

A list of drivers who are qualified, with their certification expiration date, will be maintained by the D-11 Department of Transportation.  A report of eligible drivers will be provided monthly to high school athletic directors.

All teachers, coaches and staff planning on attending Small Vehicle Operations training must submit a copy of their Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to the D-11 Transportation  Department prior to training.  Those who have not provided a copy of the MVR will not be eligible for training.  MVRs may be obtained at the Department of Motor Vehicles at Austin Bluffs and Barnes Road, 8th St and Arcturis, or Security on Fortaine Blvd. Activity Trip Bus Operator Responsibilities

1.  Understand and comply with the current edition and applicable provisions of 1 Colorado Code of Regulations 301-26, Colorado State Board of Education Department of Education.

2.  Scheduling of the vehicle / coordination with the high school athletic director for use.

3.  Providing the high school AD with a copy of the Passenger Manifest, prior to departure.  Providing an additional copy to the your school administration office, prior to departure.  Retaining a copy of the passenger list to be taken on the trip. 

4.  Conduct vehicle pre-trip inspection.  Report all defects to D-11 Fleet Maintenance at (719) 520-2950.  Any damage to the vehicle should be reported to the AD prior to departure and upon return.

5.  Brief all passengers on emergency evacuation procedures prior to departure.

6.  Ensure that all luggage is secured in the luggage space and that all passengers are wearing seat belts.

7.  Ensure passenger / student conduct is consistent with safe vehicle operating practices and CDE Regulations.

8.  Complete the D-11 Activity Bus Usage Report.

9 . During Cold Weather (15 Oct – 1 May) / overnight, out of town trips the block heater shall be plugged in to ensure operability of the bus on the following morning.

10. Clean and Fuel the Activity Bus prior to returning to the high school / lot.

11. Complete Post-Trip Inspection.  Document any vandalism and identify if possible the individual responsible for the damage.  Collections for repairs will be made by D-11 Risk Management from the individual.  If Risk Management is unable to collect, charges to repair any vandalism or damage will be billed to the activity trip operator’s school account.