Rep. Moore Praises Federal CDL Waiver to Help Schools Face Bus Driver Shortage

2-268

January 6, 2021

By News Director Jared Atha

Schools across Oklahoma have faced a shortage of school bus drivers for months, but a temporary policy from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation could help.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and the U.S. Dept. of Education announced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is giving states the option of waiving the portion of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test that requires applicants to identify the “under the hood” engine components. All other components of the written and road tests will remain.

Reps. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton), Ronny Johns (R-Ada), and Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa) have been working to address the issue and praised Tuesday’s announcement.

In a press release, Moore said “Over the last several months, Representatives Johns, Provenzano and I have been working diligently with educators throughout Oklahoma to find a solution to what was very evidently a large problem throughout the state,” he went on to say that “This test hindered schools and their abilities to serve students in rural, suburban and urban areas alike. I’m very grateful for this common-sense fix to a wide-scale problem and hope that schools throughout Oklahoma feel the intended relief of this effort.”

Drivers receiving a CDL under this temporary waiver are permitted to operate intrastate school buses only; they are not authorized to operate trucks, motorcoaches, or any other type of commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL.

The FMCSA waiver, which became effective Jan. 3, expires March 31.

Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

2502110859_2744663

Fastenal Supports SWOSU HERC

SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Fastenal has made a generous gift of equipment in support of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) National Aeronautics & Space Administration Human Exploration Rover Challenge (NASA HERC) Team for 2024-2025. Each

2502110857_1612456

SWOSU Jazz Festival Celebrates 55 Years

SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The 55th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival is coming up on Feb. 13–14 in Weatherford, Okla. A tradition spanning over five decades, the festival is one of the region’s most anticipated music

2502110850_2349417

Busey Brothers Make Major Gift to SWOSU

SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has received a generous philanthropic gift from SWOSU graduates and brothers Philip Busey, ’04, and Brian Busey, ’05, both of Oklahoma City. The Busey brothers serve

2501280831_1448215

Students Attend Education Expo

By Landry Brewer Several area high school students mixed with college, university, and technology school representatives at the recent Western Oklahoma Education Expo at Elk City’s Convention Center. The 34th annual event sponsored by the Elk City

2501202124_1389679

OSBI Investigating Double Homicide in Granite

Granite, OK – On Sunday night, the District 3 Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to investigate a double homicide. Shortly after 10:00 p.m., deputies responded to a residence