Jefferson County Board of Education
Transportation Department
BUS DRIVER CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming certified to drive a school bus for Jefferson County Board
of Education (JEFCOED). The following information is a step by step process that will assist you in obtaining
your goal.

Step 1: Obtain a copy of the Alabama Commercial Drivers License Manual from a Commercial Driver License
(CDL) office. CDL office locations and directions will be provided in another section. The CDL manual is also
available on line at: http:dps.alabama.gov/documents/manuals/cdmanual.pdf or www.jefcoed.com and click
“Departments”, “Transportation”, “Documents”, “Commercial Driver License Manual”. Prospective school bus
drivers must pass four written CDL tests at the CDL office. These tests include General Knowledge, Air
Brakes, Transporting Passengers, and School Buses. In preparation for the four tests noted above, the
prospective driver should study sections 1-5 and section 10 in the CDL manual.

Step 2: Get A DOT Physical. To find a medical examiner to conduct the DOT physical exam you may contact
your primary care provider to inquire if they will conduct a "DOT physical exam." You may also find a medical
examiner in the yellow pages of your telephone book, or on the Internet by using an Internet directory or
search engine. Look under "Occupational Health." If your medical examiner does not have a Medical
Examination Report, one may be downloaded.

Step 3: At a CDL testing facility (BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR DRIVER LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
AND DOT PHYSICAL CARD) request to take the “School Bus Driver” CDL written test ($25 fee). A CDL with
both the Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements is required. If you fail any portion of the test you may
retake the test for a fee of ($15.00). After passing these written tests a Commercial Drivers License Permit
($23.50 fee) will be given to potential drivers who:
 do not have a CDL.
 are upgrading their CDL.
 are adding the Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsements to their CDL.

Step 4: You must attend a mandatory meeting at Jefferson County Department of Transportation located at:
2513 Cedar Hill Drive
Birmingham, AL 35217
Check the 2014 CDL Training and New Driver Class Schedule for dates and times of the meeting.
Bring your CDL Commercial Driver Learners Permit, Social Security Card and DOT Physical Card with you.

Step 5: You must complete a Sub Bus Driver Application with JEFCOED and meet all Human Resource
Department requirements at Central Office in order to be an employee with Jefferson County Board of
Education. In addition to completing an online application, the following documents must be submitted to the
human resources department. All items must be submitted before you will be cleared to substitute. All items
must be submitted prior to step 6.
Revised 9-11-12
(Bus Driver Certification Process Continued)
 Step 5: Con’d
Jefferson County Board of Education
Human Resources Department
2100 18th Street South
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
In addition to completing an online application, the following documents must be submitted to the
human resources department. All items must be submitted in person before you will be cleared as a part
time employee.
1. Application (www.jefcoed.com)
2. Alabama Driver’s License
3. Social Security Card
4. Proof of Education (A copy of your high school diploma or GED, or a copy of college diploma or
transcript)
5. Results of a Tuberculin Skin Test or results of a chest X-ray
6. Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Form) – must appear in person with original documents
7. Tax Forms – Federal and State
8. New Hire Form
9. Authorization for Direct Deposit Form and Voided Check
10. Employee Network Access and Acceptable Use Agreement
11. Background Information Check – all employees are required to submit to a background check for
criminal history which includes a fingerprint check by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Alabama State Department of Education has contracted with
Cogent Systems to collect and process fingerprints for school systems in Alabama. Register online at
www.cogentid.com or call 1-866-989-9316. Employees must be registered prior to arriving at our
fingerprint location. Employees may pay the fingerprint fee of $51.40 online during registration using
a debit or credit card.
If you have previously completed a background check with the ALSDE this step is not necessary.
Please contact Carolyn Pruden at (205) 379-3112 with questions.
All recommendations for employment are contingent upon the successful result of the criminal
history background check, the receipt of all required documents and approval by the Jefferson
County Board of Education.
Revised 09-11-12
(Bus Driver Certification Process Continued)

Step 6: A prospective school bus driver must attend a minimum of 4 hours of training from local school system
transportation officials before enrollment in the SDE School Bus Driver Certification Class. Only drivers who
receive this training and produce a properly signed training certification form will be scheduled for performance
testing.
Check the 2014 CDL Training and New Driver Class Schedule for dates and times of the meeting.

Step 7: Attend an Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), Transportation-New Driver Certification
Class. The class consist of a three day (four hours a day) School Bus Safety Class and a Performance Test.
Check here for dates and times of classes.
ALSDE NEW DRIVER CERTIFICATION CLASS
In order to attend the twelve hour class, driver applicant must meet one of the following
requirements:



Have admission approved by a local school Transportation Supervisor and must have a
Commercial Drivers License Permit 14 days prior to bus school, or
Hold an expired (due to not recertifying) Alabama Department of Education School Bus Driver
Certificate, or
Have an out of state CDL with the “P” and "S” endorsements.
In order to complete the twelve hour class, driver applicant must meet the following
requirements:
1)
A passing score of 80% on the written test given at the end of the class.
2)
Pass the three-part performance test conducted by the ALSDE instructor including:



Pre-trip inspection of a school bus with at least 80% mastery
Basic control skill test
On-the-road driving skill test with at least 80% mastery
TO KEEP YOUR CDL CURRENT A FOUR-HOUR RECERTIRICATION CLASS IS REQUIRED EACH YEAR. THE RECERTIFICATION
CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED AND HELD AT THE JEFCOED KETONA SCHOOL SERVICE CENTER
2513 CEDAR HILL DRIVE, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35217.

Step 8: After attending the new driver certification class and completing the Commercial Driver License test
you will return to the Alabama Department of Public Safety office where your Commercial Driver License
Permit was originally obtained. The CDL office will issue the valid Commercial Driver License with the “P” and
“S” endorsements ($43.50).

Step 9: At this point, the applicant will return to Jefferson County Transportation Department to take a preemployment drug test (no charge to applicant) and for an interview. A Recommendation for Employment
Form will be completed and sent to the Human Resource Department.
Revised 09-11-12
(Bus Driver Certification Process Continued)
TESTING FACILITIES
BIRMINGHAM:
SUMITON:
LOCATED ON THE BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS
Bevill Street/Highway 78 West
Telephone Number:
(205) 648-2991
Take I-59 South to Arkadelphia Road and bear right which will put you onto Hwy 78 West towards Jasper. Go
approximately 24 miles until you see Bevill State Community College on the right. Turn right at the big American flag.
Turn left and you will be at State Troopers CDL office.
TUSCALOOSA:
LOCATED AT THE STATE TROOPERS CDL OFFICE
2645 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Telephone Number:
(205) 553-1262
Take I-459 to I-20/I-59 West to Tuscaloosa. Take the McFarland Exit. Turn left and go under the interstate. Go through
about two intersections to the traffic light at Skyland Boulevard and turn left. The State Troopers CDL office is about 1
- 1/2 miles on the right.
JEFCOED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FULL TIME BUS DRIVER POSITION: Applicants interested in a full time position check the website www.jefcoed.com
Classified Job Openings for vacant positions advertised. The Transportation Directors will review the applications and
call applicants to set up interviews.
Thanks again for your interest in becoming a JEFCOED school bus driver.
The JEFCOED Transportation Department is available
to assist you with this process. (205 379-4605)
Revised 09-11-12