Contact:
Steve Pazynski
(608) 267-7452
steven.pazynski@dot.wi.gov
While we recognize the work of professional drivers during Bus Driver Appreciation Week (February 13-17, 2017), the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) works behind the scenes to keep drivers current on their licensing requirements, so they can focus on their precious cargo.
“With employment opportunities for bus drivers projected to grow, DMV streamlined its processes and enhanced its online offerings so business owners and professional drivers can easily find the information they need,” said Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Dave Ross. “Today, drivers who take advantage of DMV’s online services will find enhanced responsiveness. It’s like having a partner to stay on top of the licensing requirements that keep our roads safe.”
To help Wisconsin’s roughly 16,000 school bus drivers stay current on licensing requirements, which go beyond commercial driver license (CDL) requirements to include physical and testing requirements, DMV put its online resources, including Driver License Guide and eNotify, onto one new webpage, schoolbus.wi.gov. It explains:
- How to become a school bus driver
- How to determine the tier level and what physical forms to use
- How to maintain a school bus endorsement – physical and testing requirements
- How to sign up to go ‘paperless’ and receive email notifications (eNotify) for each licensing requirement
- How to go online to check an individual’s driver license status and requirement information
“Many people think getting and maintaining their school bus license, or S endorsement, involves a tangle of forms,” said Steve Pazynski, DMV Medical Review supervisor. “We put everything they need onto one convenient page with direct links. Any time a driver or company needs a form or information, it’s one click away.”
The new webpage also has “School Bus and Federal Medical Certificate – Frequently Asked Questions” to answer commonly asked questions from school bus drivers and their employers.
The Driver License Guide was recently upgraded to include Commercial Driver License (CDL) or permit CDL information. Drivers can update their personal information and check their license status, expiration date, operating restrictions, tier level, physical and testing requirements. The guide provides a printable checklist of requirements and necessary documents, and allows the user to pre-fill any required application(s). In some cases, drivers can submit these forms electronically and schedule an appointment at the DMV more quickly and conveniently.
Bus drivers and commercial drivers can also be notified by email when any of their licensing requirements is about to expire. If they sign up for eNotify, they will be notified 60 days before expiration of their license, CDL physical (if required), Fed Med Card for Tier 1 CDL drivers, and license plate registration renewals on eligible vehicles.
