ALBANY, NY — A requirement has been dropped to increase the pool of school bus driver applicants who require a commercial driver’s license.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can implement a federal waiver to skip the engine compartment component, also known as the “under the hood” portion of the commercial driver license road test. 

Nick Vallone, past-president of the School Bus Drivers Association, said he has been advocating for an ease of restrictions for the commercial driver’s license exam for some time. “This under the hood requirement to identify components and parts, is not even something we allow our bus drivers to do, therefore it was a barrier to entry for getting more prospective drivers to take the test,” he said.

During the road test, the applicants are still required to perform the remaining elements of the exam, which includes the inspection and driving skills test. In 2022, the DMV launched a program authorizing third parties to conduct commercial road tests. 

Rolling V was the first in the state to implement the DMV Road Training, and continues to provide free CDL training and road testing to eligible candidates in the communities that it serves. Apply online at www. rollingv.com.