New Brunswick School Bus Drivers Not Meeting Licensing and Training Requirements: Audit
Fredericton, NB
– A recent audit by the Office of the Auditor General of New Brunswick has revealed that a significant number of school bus drivers in the province are not meeting the required licensing and training standards. The audit, which examined the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s (DTI) oversight of school bus drivers, found that: *
14% of school bus drivers had not obtained the necessary Class 2 or 3 commercial driver’s license (CDL).
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32% of drivers had not completed the mandatory 40 hours of driver training.
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19% of drivers had not passed the required classroom and road tests.
These findings raise concerns about the safety of students, as drivers who do not meet the licensing and training requirements may not possess the necessary skills and knowledge to operate school buses safely. In addition to these licensing and training issues, the audit also found that DTI: * Did not have a clear and consistent policy on the hiring and vetting of school bus drivers. * Did not have adequate systems in place to track and monitor driver training and licensing. * Did not conduct regular audits of school bus operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The Auditor General’s report makes several recommendations to DTI, including: * Establishing a clear policy on the hiring and vetting of school bus drivers. * Implementing a system to track and monitor driver training and licensing. * Conducting regular audits of school bus operations. * Providing additional training and support to drivers who have not met the required standards. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Jill Green, has stated that the department is taking the audit findings seriously and will work to address the concerns raised. She has committed to implementing the Auditor General’s recommendations and strengthening oversight of school bus driver safety. The safety of students is paramount, and it is essential that school bus drivers in New Brunswick are properly licensed, trained, and vetted. This audit highlights the need for stronger oversight and more stringent enforcement of safety regulations to ensure that students are safe when they board a school bus.
New Brunswick school bus drivers not meeting licensing and training requirements: audit
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Source:
CBC News *
Date:
March 8, 2023
Key Points:
* A recent audit by New Brunswick’s Auditor General found that a significant number of school bus drivers in the province are not meeting the required licensing and training standards. * The audit revealed that 15% of drivers did not have the appropriate driver’s license class, while 22% had not completed the necessary training. * The audit also identified concerns with driver record reviews, with 25% not being completed within the required timeframe. * The lack of compliance with licensing and training requirements raises safety concerns for students and other road users. * The provincial government has acknowledged the findings and has committed to addressing the issues.
Background:
* New Brunswick requires school bus drivers to hold a Class 3 driver’s license and complete a 60-hour training program that includes classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. * The training program covers topics such as defensive driving techniques, child safety, and emergency procedures. * The audit was conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of New Brunswick to assess the province’s compliance with school bus driver licensing and training requirements.
Implications:
* The audit findings highlight the need for improved enforcement of licensing and training requirements for school bus drivers. * The government has committed to working with school bus contractors to ensure that drivers meet the necessary standards. * The safety of students and other road users depends on the proper licensing and training of school bus drivers.
Additional Information:
* The audit report can be found on the Office of the Auditor General of New Brunswick website: https://www.ag.nb.ca/en/reports-publications/audit-reports/
