In a push to combat the ongoing national school bus driver shortage, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Driving Forward Act on Tuesday. The legislation would exempt new school bus drivers from the “Under-the-Hood” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) test requirement—a step supporters say would reduce unnecessary red tape and help get more qualified drivers behind the wheel.
“Kids in Arizona deserve to get to school safe and on time,” said Kelly. “This bipartisan bill cuts red tape to help more people become school bus drivers, directly addressing driver shortages and making the drive to school a better one.”
Kelly is joined by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in co-sponsoring the bill. A companion bill is being led in the House by Rep. John Carter (R-TX-31).
Supporters of the bill argue that the under-the-hood CDL requirement—originally designed for long-haul trucking—creates an unnecessary barrier for school bus drivers, who are never expected to conduct mechanical repairs.
“This legislation would help ensure there are school bus drivers available in every neighborhood across the countryby removing an antiquated and unnecessary obstacle to their certification,” said Cornyn.
The under-the-hood test requires drivers to lift the hood of a bus and identify engine parts, a step that can add 3–4 days of training. Since school bus drivers stay with children and rely on mechanics for maintenance, the exemption is not expected to affect safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has confirmed the waiver would have no negative impact on safety, and all other maintenance and inspection standards would remain in place.
“The school bus driver shortage poses a threat to student safety and access to reliable transportation for students across Tennessee,” said Blackburn. “The Driving Forward Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that would get more qualified individuals into the driver’s seat.”
Arizona has seen a sharp decline in bus drivers—from over 8,400 in 2020 to fewer than half that today. Lawmakers say this bill will help reverse that trend.
“Many communities are struggling to find school bus drivers, and that’s why I am working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to cut red tape,” said Baldwin.
The legislation is backed by a wide coalition of education and transportation organizations, including the National School Transportation Association, School Superintendent Association, and National Association for Pupil Transportation.
