Requirements to Drive a Pupil Transportation Vehicle

Federal and State Requirement Matrices:

• FMCSA Requirements for Schools ‐ Passenger Vehicles Capacity 9 to 15 (revised 07/01/2015)
• FMCSA Requirements for Passenger Vehicles Capacity 16 or more (revised 07/01/2015)
• Nebraska Requirements for First School Bus Permit (revised 07/01/2015)
• Nebraska Requirements for Schools & Licensed Drivers of Pupil Transportation Vehicles (revised 07/01/2015)

A school bus permit is required for the driver of all vehicles that transport one or more school children for routes.

To become a pupil transportation vehicle driver, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a valid CDL or Class O (whichever is appropriate for the class of bus permit)
• Complete Level I or Level II instructional training or proof of waiver for the Level I or II Instruction Course.
  • Click here for Level I and II course schedule
• Have a current DOT physical (dated within the last 90 days)

A school bus permit is not required when operating a small vehicle (i.e. car, van) used for activity purposes. 

Contact the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles for more information to obtain a Nebraska School Bus Permit or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Click here for more information about driver training.

• CDL Manual (pdf file)

Types of Permits Required
for Nebraska Pupil Transportation Vehicles

Program Contacts

• Janice Eret: (402) 471-2248 or janice.eret@nebraska.gov
• Bryce Wilson: (402) 471-4320 or bryce.wilson@nebraska.gov

Page updated on 07/02/2018