Arizona

School bus in-service

REQUIRED 6.5 hours per 2 years (every 24 months)

Citation: Ariz. Admin. Code § R13-13-102; A.R.S. § 28-3228

Unusually, Arizona's school bus driver certification is run by the Department of Public Safety (Student Transportation unit), not the Department of Education, under rules adopted per A.R.S. § 28-3228. Initial certification requires a minimum of 14 hours classroom plus 20 hours behind-the-wheel plus CPR/first aid; thereafter drivers must complete a minimum 6.5-hour classroom refresher every 24 months, keep CPR/first aid current, and pass a physical examination and physical performance test every 24 months.

Official source ›

CDL & endorsements

CDL renewal cycle: every 8 years.

No general CDL continuing education; Arizona CDLs are valid for up to 8 years (ADOT MVD), one of the longer cycles nationally, with a medical examiner certificate renewed at least every 24 months.

Hazmat: ADOT flags that the CDL and the TSA security threat assessment usually have different expiration dates and must be renewed separately; drivers should apply to TSA at least 60 days before STA expiration, after which MVD validates the H endorsement automatically.

• Physical performance test every 24 months for school bus drivers
• Physical examination every 24 months for school bus drivers
• CPR and first aid certification must be kept current for school bus drivers