UniteGPS – In conjunction with waiving the under the hood portion of the CDL exam, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) will host a School Bus Driver’s Day on Feb. 5, 2022, to attract new applicants.
The purpose of this event is to inform prospective CDL holders of the current federal waiver program. Legislated on Jan. 20., Md. joined other states in waiving the portion of the exam requiring learners to identify engine parts until March 31, per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation.
Not having to prepare for the most technical and perhaps demanding part of the exam, the state encourages prospective bus drivers to take advantage of this opportunity for expedited testing. By making an appointment between 8 AM to 1:30 PM, applicants can take the CDL driver skills tests and permit knowledge tests at the following locations:
Annapolis: 160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy., Annapolis
Bel Air: 501 W MacPhail Road, Bel Air
Frederick: 1601 Bowmans Farm Road, Frederick
Gaithersburg – 15 Metropolitan Grove Road, Gaithersburg
Glen Burnie: 6601 Ritchie Hwy., Glen Burnie
Largo – 10251 Central Ave., Upper Marlboro
Salisbury: 251 Tilghman Road, Salisbury
Despite the under the hood portion being off the table, applicants still must fulfill the CDL theory and road tests, including the school bus and passenger endorsement tests.
School Bus Driver’s Day in Maryland
Between school closures due to COVID-19, the hiring shortage, and tensions surrounding new federal training requirements coming into effect on Feb. 7, Maryland leaders seem to be saying loud and clear that bus drivers are paramount for schools to remain open.
“Hosting Bus Drivers’ Day at the MDOT MVA allows us to serve more Marylanders who want to become school bus drivers,” said Gov. Larry Hogan in a press release. “Bus drivers play a critical role in the success of our schools, and I thank all the drivers who get our children to and from school safely.”
Maryland school districts have seen their fair share of obstacles over the past year, such as Montogomery County Public Schools requesting assistance from the National Guard to cover bus routes.
“The past few years have presented many unforeseen challenges, including getting our school-aged children to and from school,” added MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “We are committed to doing everything we can to support all of our commercial drivers and ensure we’re able to get Maryland’s schoolchildren transported safely and efficiently.”