1. (a) A training agency may grant a qualified applicant temporary and provisional certification status in the form of an "Enrollment Certificate" upon receipt of a completed application, Figure 7: §14.1(7) of this title (relating to Appendix) from the requesting employer stating that this person has fulfilled all of the following eligibility requirements:

   1. (1) at least 18 years of age;
   2. (2) possess a valid driver's license designating a class appropriate (with applicable endorsements if commercial driver's license) for the gross vehicle weight rating and manufacturer's designed passenger capacity of motor vehicle to be operated;
   3. (3) an acceptable driving record (secured from the Texas Department of Public Safety) determined in accordance with the current "School Bus Driver's Driving Record Evaluation," Figure 3: §14.1(3);
   4. (4) an acceptable criminal history record (secured from any law enforcement agency) reviewed in accordance with the provisions of current state statute (see Texas Education Code, §22.084);
   5. (5) an acceptable physical and mental examination evaluated in accordance with all qualifications and standards specified on the current form, Medical Examination Report for School Bus Drivers; and preemployment/pre-duty drug testing (evaluated in accordance with current federal law); and
   6. (6) each school district or contractor must ensure drivers have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill regarding the safe operation of school buses. It is the employer's inherent responsibility to ensure that the driver understands the contents of Units II, IV, V, VIII and X of the current Course Guide for School Bus Driver Training in Texas.

2. (b) In addition to the prerequisites listed in subsection (a) of this section, the following rules shall apply to the issuance of all enrollment certificates:

   1. (1) recipients must register for the first available twenty-hour basic certification course as determined by the training agency. Except as approved by the training agency, failure to satisfactorily complete the course as scheduled shall result in revocation of the certificate, and a consecutive enrollment certificate shall not be reissued;
   2. (2) it is highly recommended that all enrollment certificates shall be dated to expire no later than 180 days past the date issued. In the event a class is not scheduled within 180 days, the enrollment certificate may be dated to expire within a reasonable period of time following the conclusion of the first available certification course. Except as approved by the training agency, a minimum of five years must elapse between the issuance of consecutive enrollment certificates;
   3. (3) the training agency may charge a reasonable fee for the issuance of an enrollment certificate, not to exceed the actual cost for processing; and
   4. (4) an enrollment certificate shall be the standard school bus driver safety training certificate so designated by the words, "Enrollment Certificate" stamped or printed diagonally across the face of the training certificate;
   5. (5) the training agency shall submit, in a timely manner, the necessary verification information electronically to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Figure 8: §14.1(8) of this title

Source Note:The provisions of this §14.35 adopted to be effective October 7, 1996, 21 TexReg 9243; amended to be effective February 6, 2001, 26 TexReg 1161.