State of Connecticut Driver Licensing and Vehicle Inspection Requirements.
The intent of this document is to organize a list of guidelines associated with the State of
Connecticut‘s requirements for driver licensing and vehicle inspections for individuals operating
any vehicle transporting school children. In this instance the vehicle in question is a Student
Transportation Vehicle – “Activity Vehicle”, a vehicle that is used to transport students in
connection with school – sponsored events and activities, but is not used to transport students
to and from school. Additional rules and regulations pertain to Student Transportation Vehicles,
any motor vehicle other than a registered school bus used by a carrier for the transportation of
students, including children requiring special education.
Please see below the following Driver Licensing and Vehicle Inspection guidelines established by
the State of Connecticut.
Drivers Qualification Files – Drivers files must be maintained on all of the authorized drivers,
these files should contain all of the information required by the state. Driver qualification files
can be combined with the individual’s personnel file. Driver qualification files should contain
the following information:
-
A copy of the driver’s license with appropriate endorsement
A copy of the application for employment
A copy of the driving history for Connecticut and for any other state in which the driver
has resided in the last three years.
Driver training history if any has been completed
Type of vehicle the driver is licensed to operate
Complaints, if any exist, filed against the driver along with the disposition of such
complaints.
Medical examiner’s certificate of the driver’s physical qualifications to drive a motor
vehicle or a legible copy of the certificate.
Urinalysis drug test results
Criminal history report and updates.
A record of disciplinary or corrective action taken by the Carrier due to deviations by
the driver from laws, regulations, procedures and instructions.
Any other matter which relates to the driver’s qualification or ability to driver a motor
vehicle safely.
All of these records must be retained by the institution for a period of three years and are
subject to inspection by the Department of Motor Vehicles upon reasonable notice.
Fleet Safety Coordinator – We have been informed that the State requires that each institution
appoint a Safety Coordinator for fleet activities. The institution must notify the Department of
Motor Vehicles prior to the start of the school year with the name of this individual. This
Fred C. Church, Inc.’s Risk Management Consultants assist our clients with their loss control and safety endeavors.
Our goal is to help you understand and manage your risks and hopefully reduce your losses. In providing these
services, the Risk Management Department and Fred C. Church, Inc. do not assume any obligations you may have
to identify, manage, control or correct any hazards on your premises or in your operations. (April 28, 2009)
individual’s responsibility is to monitor and update all activities associated with the licensing
and inspection requirements. DMV Regs 14-275c – 48, effective 1/25/94
Motor Vehicle Record Program – A Motor Vehicle Record must be secured prior to an
individual operating an institutions vehicle carrying children. The driver record check must be
an actual abstract from the Department of Motor Vehicles or a reputable outside source. This
driving record must be compared for accuracy against the institutions annual review form.
Motor Vehicle Records must be done on an annual basis. A policy should be established by the
institution requiring drivers to notify them if there is any change in their driving history
throughout the course of the year. The guidelines for acceptable driving record can be found on
the Department of Motor Vehicles web site
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=798&q=423884
Criminal Background Checks – A criminal background check, both state and federal must be
done upon application for employment. Once initially completed the criminal background
check does not require an actual abstract annually. The institutions annual review form signed
by the driver and the institution will meet the statutes. If there are any convictions they must
be listed on the institutions annual review form. Section 14-275c-50 of the CT DMV Regulations
require drivers to notify the carrier of any change in their driving or criminal status on an annual
basis.
Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Individuals operating vehicles transporting students must
undergo an initial medical evaluation to include both drug and alcohol testing. Physicals are
then required every two years. CDL drivers must carry a copy of their physical or an approved
card (Form B-328) when they are driving a commercial motor vehicle.
Drug Testing – Drivers must undergo an initial urinalysis drug test; they are also required to
submit to random drug testing. This law requires that 50% of all drivers within an institution be
randomly tested per year.
Driver Training – Individuals with an” S” or “V” endorsement are required by the State of
Connecticut to undergo training by a Certified Driver Training Instructor. There are ten hours of
required pre- service training and six hours of required annual in – service training. Individuals
operating Activity Vehicles requiring an “A” endorsement are not required to undergo training.
Vehicle Inspections – Activity Vehicles, those transporting students to and from events must
undergo annual inspections per the state requirements. The state also requires that these
vehicles must be inspected by a qualified mechanic in intervals not to exceed three months.
They do not define qualified mechanic. Brake inspections must be completed every six months.
We highly recommend that these inspections be conducted by a licensed mechanic.
Pre-and Post Vehicle Inspections – Each institution is required to inspect the Activity Vehicles
prior to use. This does necessitate the use of a Vehicle Drivers Daily Vehicle Inspection Report
(DVIR) Form completed in duplicate. Each driver must complete the inspection report every
Fred C. Church, Inc.’s Risk Management Consultants assist our clients with their loss control and safety endeavors.
Our goal is to help you understand and manage your risks and hopefully reduce your losses. In providing these
services, the Risk Management Department and Fred C. Church, Inc. do not assume any obligations you may have
to identify, manage, control or correct any hazards on your premises or in your operations. (April 28, 2009)
day the vehicle is operated before each use. Drivers must report any defects or damage to the
vehicle to the proper authority. Drivers making inspections and mechanics performing repairs
must sign and date the vehicle inspection report. Vehicle inspection reports must be turned in
daily to a person of authority as designated by the vehicle owner and retained by the owner for
a period of six months; the book containing duplicate copies should remain in the vehicle. Each
driver is to check the previous report prior to departure. Any reported defect that is not signed
by a mechanic as corrected must be reported immediately. Vehicle inspection reports must be
made available for inspection and audit by an authorized representative of the Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles at all times.
Service Bus Plates – These plates are required on vehicles transporting ten or more students.
Once again this pertains to Student Transportation Vehicles which are considered to be Activity
Vehicles, transporting students to and from events. Student Transportation Vehicles, those
being used to transport students from home to school and school to home require a STV plate.
Vehicle Files – Each vehicle being utilized by the institution to transport students must have a
Vehicle File containing all of the information required by the state as it pertains to inspection
and maintenance procedures. These files are subject to inspection by representatives of the
Department of Motor Vehicles. Documents that should be included within this file would
include:
-
State annual inspection
Quarterly inspections by a competent mechanic
Pre and post trip inspection reports
Copy of the vehicle’s registration
All maintenance records.
Safety Equipment – Student Activity Vehicles are subject to the requirements of the State of
Connecticut pertaining to safety equipment that must be in the vehicle. A list of that
equipment is as follows:
-
10-B.C. rated fire extinguisher
Three reflective warning triangles
First-aid kit with state required materials
Sec. 14-275a-45. First aid kits
(a) The vehicle shall carry a removable first-aid kit in a readily identifiable and
accessible location in the driver’s area.
(b) The contents of the first-aid kit shall include but not be limited to the following:
1. four inch (4²) bandage compress four (4) each
2. two inch (2²) bandage compress six (6) each
3. one inch (1²) adhesive bandages thirty-two (32)
4. forty inch (40²) triangular bandage one (1) package
- with two (2) safety pins
Fred C. Church, Inc.’s Risk Management Consultants assist our clients with their loss control and safety endeavors.
Our goal is to help you understand and manage your risks and hopefully reduce your losses. In providing these
services, the Risk Management Department and Fred C. Church, Inc. do not assume any obligations you may have
to identify, manage, control or correct any hazards on your premises or in your operations. (April 28, 2009)
Signage – Student Transportation Vehicles to include Activity Vehicles must have appropriate
signage in accordance with the regulations of the State. Signage and or lettering must meet
specific criteria established by the state. Lettering or a sign indicating – “Carrying School
Children” must be displayed either on the roof or front and rear of the vehicle (Section 14-2801, 2&3 respectively).
Volunteers – Parents, teachers, and volunteers using their own personal vehicle to transport
students to school related activities do not require an “A” endorsement. We highly recommend
that policies are in place pertaining to the proper insurance coverage, insurance limits, licensing
requirements and vehicle inspection procedures for the use of these vehicles. Parents, teachers
and volunteers using a school’s vehicle to transport students to school related activities do
require an “A” endorsement. Such student transportation vehicles must be registered, insured
and inspected according to the state laws. According to the most recent interpretation from
the state’s legal department, any school employee may transport a student in an institution
vehicle as the result of an incidental, unplanned or an emergency situation without an “A”
endorsement.
Hired Drivers – Should an institution decide to hire individuals to transport students in their
own vehicles and pay these drivers a fee or mileage reimbursement the same requirements
would have to be met. Those individuals would have to have an “A” endorsement and their
vehicles would be subject to the same inspection and maintenance requirements.
Best Practices – The following “Best Practice” items are not required under the CT Licensing
regulations and guidelines, however, are recommended by Fred C. Church and your insurance
carrier:
- Formal Fleet Safety Program – Program must include guidelines for employee MVR
screening and driver safety requirements for all employees authorized to operate any
vehicle on school business.
- Driver Training – All employees, regardless of license endorsement, should be required
to complete a driver safety training course prior to operating any vehicle on school
business.
- Authorized Drivers List – Schools should keep an updated list of authorized drivers at all
times. This list should be maintained by the appointed School Fleet Safety Coordinator.
Safety Resources – The safety resources necessary for the organization and implementation of
a formal Fleet Safety Program are available through both the insurance agency and the
insurance carrier.
Fred C. Church, Inc.’s Risk Management Consultants assist our clients with their loss control and safety endeavors.
Our goal is to help you understand and manage your risks and hopefully reduce your losses. In providing these
services, the Risk Management Department and Fred C. Church, Inc. do not assume any obligations you may have
to identify, manage, control or correct any hazards on your premises or in your operations. (April 28, 2009)