MADISON, WI (WSAU) — The state Department of Transportation is implementing temporary measures to help get more school bus drivers behind the wheel.
“WisDOT is taking every available opportunity to ease the strain on communities struggling to recruit drivers by removing barriers that might keep prospective drivers from applying,” DMV Administrator Kristina Boardman said in a press release.
That includes waiving the “under-the-hood” identification portion of the S endorsement test for licensing waived until March 31st, allowing them to become licensed by passing the other components of the written and driving test.
Boardman says that would allow districts to bring more bus drivers into their ranks by focusing the test on the most important elements to student safety. Though those drivers who receive their licensing under the waiver will not be able to cross state lines during their route.
The DOT has also sent letters to over 1,000 school bus license holders that have let their licensing expire; encouraging them to get back behind the wheel.
Many districts have significantly increased driver pay and added signing and referral bonuses to help bring in additional drivers.
The shortage has gotten so bad that some districts have canceled routes or encouraged parents to make other arrangements to get their children to school to cut down on the number of routes needed each day.
Some high school sporting events have also been delayed by teams needing to wait for an in-town bus route to complete its stops before picking players up to take them to away games.
