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Driver Training

Cobb County Public Schools Transportation is involved with training school bus drivers on a daily basis. Initial and ongoing driver training is the responsibility of the Training Department, which consists of the Training Director, Paula P. Smith and our Driver/Trainers, Vera Hollingsworth,
Cheryl Hoback, Terry Brown, Dianne Luttrell, Brenda Turner, Bonnie Wilson, Linda Garnto, Onalisa Cathy, Carolyn Brook, and Donna Allen. There is a class beginning approximately every two weeks throughout the year.

Initial School Bus Driver Training:
The first step in the process is the application, which includes criminal history and background check, motor vehicle records audit, medical physical, and Drug and Alcohol screening. Driver candidates then complete classroom instruction in emergency and accident procedures, loading
and unloading students, radio procedures, expressway driving, state laws, special education laws and overview, student management, and a review of the driver handbook. Approximately 12
hours are spent in the school bus on the road with the driver/trainers. The driver candidate must
pass written and road tests for the Georgia commercial drivers license before observing on a
school bus route with an experienced driver (5 hours). Finally the driver candidate is observed
by the veteran driver while completing a route with students (up to 8 hours).

Upon completion of the initial training, the driver is assigned to a supervised district and school routes. However, Driver Training is ongoing. Each year drivers are required to attend six (6) hours
of inservices or Safety Meetings. CPR and First Aid are also taught and each driver is required to update their certification every two (2) years. Drivers are required to pass annual physicals before being assigned a school route at the end of the summer.

At Cobb County Public Schools Transportation, we are committed to the safest, reliable student transportation possible within the limits of our personnel and busing resources.

Ongoing Annual Driver Training:
Driver Training is continual. Topics in past years include, but are not limited to:

  • Georgia State Patrol Updates
  • Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Concealed Weapons
  • Anger Management
  • Diversity Training
  • Strategic Training Systems Student Management, Bob McAlister
  • Range Training
  • Cobb County Sheriff's Office, Hostage Training
  • Handbook Review
  • Bus Driving Scenarios
  • Operation Lifesaver
  • Specific Disabilities
  • Mirror Usage
  • Transportation Regulation Updates
  • Special Needs Transportation Legislation

Cobb County goes beyond State requirements and includes CPR and First Aid Instruction and Certification. Conventional drivers attend three and one half (3 1/2) hours of combination and hands-on instruction in Adult and Child CPR and Basic First Aid. Special Education Drivers receive six (6) hours of Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and Basic First Aid. Certified and licensed personnel teach both classes. Certification is renewed every two (2) years.

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