Part Of NJ Bus Driver Test Can Still Be Skipped To Curb Shortage

NEW JERSEY - School bus driver candidates in New Jersey still don’t have to take a portion of the required test in order to curb shortages, officials said Monday.

Per a new waiver issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on April 1, school bus driver applicants won’t have to take the “under-the-hood” portion of the Commercial Driver License skills test through June 30.

All other components of the written and skills test will remain.

The initial waiver took effect on Jan. 7 and expired after March 31. The waiver is intended to “The FMCSA waiver is intended to continue alleviating a critical shortage of school bus drivers nationwide, which has been worsened by the COVID-19 public health emergency,” according to a statement from the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission.

School bus driver license applicants will still be required to pass all of the safety elements of the exam and skills test such as checking lights and safety bars before each trip.

The only portion of the exam that will be waived is the engine compartment component of the CDL skills test, which is the requirement for applicants to identify "under-the-hood" engine parts.

The waiver is only in effect for school bus driver candidates. Those seeking a Commercial Driver License under this temporary waiver aren’t authorized to operate trucks, motorcoaches or other vehicles requiring that license.

The New Jersey MVC has also extended the waiver of the requirement that Commercial Learner Permit holders wait 14 days before taking the skills test. That waiver expires on May 31.

With reporting by Alexis Tarrazi.