All Type III drivers must be trained and currently certified once a year in the use and safe operation of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Type III vehicles (vans).
Certification Instructions for Type III Bus Program
- Download and print the Driver Application. If a driver does not have a MN license, then the driver must provide a current Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from the state they are licensed in.
- Complete Part A of the Driver Type III Application.
- Go to the . Review the and take the . Your results and certificate, if passed, will be emailed within two days.
- Send a copy of your certificate and partially completed application to the person authorizing the certification (Building key holder). The authorizing person will complete Part B of the application.
- Once the application and certification is complete, send it to the Transportation Training Department though interoffice mail.
- The Transportation Training Department will contact you via your district email to schedule your behind-the-wheel training.
Training Information
Behind-the-wheel training is held at the Transportation Center (8801 Lyndale Ave S) and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Drivers for the Lift Van have extra training requirements and should plan for 2.5 hours. Trainees must bring a district van and have their current driver's license with them.
During the training, drivers will:
- Watch a video with a quiz
- Receive an overview of the Pre-Trip Manual
- Conduct a hands-on Pre-trip Evaluation
- Conduct a Driving Evaluation
- Safe driving and knowing rules of the road
- Safe loading and unloading of students
Reminders
- The type III certification is only valid for one calendar year and needs to be re-certified each year.
- Only drivers who receive the training evaluation with the Lift Van have the ability to operate it.
- If a Type III driver obtains a driving conviction they must report the convictions to the employer within ten days of the date of conviction.
- Type III drivers must follow Minnesota Laws regarding car seats, booster seats and back seats requirements:
- Back Seat Requirement: Children under age 13 must sit in a back seat of the vehicle, if possible.
- Rear-Facing Seat: Children must use a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, at least until age 2 and until they exceed the height or weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
- Forward Facing: Children must use a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness until at least 4 years old and until they exceed the height or weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
- Booster Seat: Children must use a booster seat using the vehicle lap belt and shoulder belt until at least age 9, or until they exceed the height or weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer. Additionally, the child can pass the to ensure proper seat belt fit.
Training Times
- Non student contact days (school breaks, conference/workshop days, summer): With the Transportation Director Approval.
- Student contact days: There is limited availability between bus route driving times for the trainers. Appointments may be canceled on short notice pending trainer availability day of appointment.
A pre-trip calendar for the current month must be kept in each van. Please send all calendars to Transportation via interoffice mail for permanent record keeping.
Please report your monthly mileage log to Tom Gut at tgut@isd271.org.
Actual seating capacity is limited to the number of properly working seat belts. Type III school buses must never exceed 7 passengers, including the driver.