Driver Training Courses

1. What is a "School Bus Driver Improvement Course?
2. What will I learn?
3. Which course should I take?
4. How long is a SBDIC certificate valid for?
5. If I have a complaint about a course, who should I talk to?
6. How will the new SBDIC requirements affect existing school bus drivers?

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1. What is a "School Bus Driver Improvement Course"?

Since 1975, in order to obtain an Ontario driver's licence for the operation of a school purposes bus (classes B and E), all applicants have the added requirement of successfully completing an MTO-approved School Bus Driver Improvement Course (SBDIC).

Ontario Highway Traffic Act, Regulation 340/94, section 13(1):

An applicant for a Class B or E driver's licence shall meet the following requirements:

The applicant shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Minister that he or she has, not more than five years before the date of application, successfully completed a driver improvement course approved by the Minister.The primary objective of the SBDIC is to ensure the continued safe transportation of school-aged children by providing advanced driver's education, as it relates to school purposes buses, to all school bus drivers.

2. What will I learn?

On August 10, 2007 the ministry, working in consultation with school bus licensing stakeholders, introduced new course content requirements. The following core topics are the minimum mandatory requirements for all ministry-approved course providers and are to be delivered in no less than 6.25 hours of total instruction time. Course providers are welcome to exceed these requirements.

Orientation Legislative Requirements Licensing Daily Vehicle Inspection Hours of Work Legal Responsibilities The Driver Driving Impairments Alcohol Drugs Effects of Aging Fatigue Emotional Stress Illness Limiting In-Vehicle Distrations

Defensive/Strategic Driving Vehicle Dynamics Stopping Distances Effects of Weight and Speed Following Distances Defensive Driving Techniques Driving Conditions/Weather Route Hazard Identification Railway Crossings Crosswalks/Intersections Traffic Situations Blind Spots/Dnager Zones Backing Merging Passing and Being Passed Turning Vehicle Controls Limiting Outside Distractions Preventability Colision Avoidance Protecting the Right Side of the Bus

Passenger Issues Communication Passenger Mangement/Discipline Duty to Report Problems Loading/Unloading of passenger Approach, Curb Side, Cross-Over Post trip child check Safety Equipment/Emergencies Mirror Adjustment Lights Stop Arm Front Crossing Arm First Aid Kt Fire Extinguisher Axe/Claw Bar Emergency and Other Incidents Evacuations Special Needs Evacuations

3. Which course should I take?

There are a number of driver improvement or defensive driving courses, for both personal and commercial vehicles. But not all courses are approved and accepted by the Ministry of Transportation as meeting the minimum requirements for a SBDIC. Choosing a school is a personal choice. Choose carefully:

• You may want to check the list of ministry-approved SBDIC providers.
• You may want to ask someone i the school bus industry to recommend a course provider to you.
• Visit potential course provider's websites or call them to determin if their course offerings fit your needs.

4. How long is a SBDIC certificate valid for?

Certificates issued by approved course providers remain valid for five years from the course completion date. This applies even if the certificate was issued before August 10, 2007.

5. If I have a complaint about a course, who should I talk to?

Who you should talk to depends upon the nature of the complaint. If you believe that you are the victim of criminal activity, report it to the police and subsequently to the ministry (see below).

The ministry is confident that the vast majority of complaints can be resolved with you working directly with the course provider. In most circumstances, the first person to discuss the issue with would be the course instructor. Should this not resolve the matter or be inappropriate, all ministry-approved SBDIC course providers have an individual known under the program as the course administrator. This person is accountable to the ministry for their course administration, delivery, and related staff. They can normally be reached by contacting the course provider's main place of business. Listing of Ministry-Approved Course Providers

In the unlikely chance that the matter remains unresolved, report the matter, in writing, to the ministry using the following address. Please include your return contact information, including phone number, so we can get in touch with you.

Co-ordinator
Program Administration and Evaluation
Ministry of Transportation
Operational Policy Office
Lower Level, Building A, Room B-051
1201 Wilson Avenue
Downsview, Ontario
M3M 1J8

6. How will the new SBDIC requirements affect existing school bus drivers?

Drivers who already hold a school bus licence are not affected by this initiative, though the ministry encourages them, and their employers to consider refresher training.