Bus Driver Safety Program - Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Northern Michigan University is the state-approved School Bus Driver Training Agency for the central and western Upper Peninsula. The purpose of school bus safety instruction is to promote safe, efficient pupil transportation programs, using Michigan Department of Education approved curriculum.

Beginning School Bus Driver Safety (BSBD)

18 hrs. - This is a mandatory class for new bus drivers.  There is a new format as of July 2026.  The new format is called Blended Learning Beginning Bus Safety.  There will be 12 hours of online training and 6 hours of in-person training.  The 12 hours of online training MUST be completed at 3 business days before the start of the in-person class. A driver will not be permitted into an in-person class if they haven't completed the 12 hours of online training.

Continuing Education Curriculum (CEC)

6 hrs. -  This is a state-mandated continuing education requirement every two years. Attendance is required for all six hours in order to successfully complete this class.

Please Note: Per the State of Michigan Pupil Transportation Public Act 187, Section 257.1851: Every current school bus driver holding a green or yellow education card that expires on Sept. 30, 2027 must attend a six-hour school bus driver continuing education class by that expiration date.

Drivers who do not complete this continuing education requirement by September 30, 2027 will be required to complete the Beginning School Bus Driver Training course in order to remain legally eligible to drive a school bus.

Basic Transportation Management Course (BTMC)

Any new Transportation Supervisor must complete a Beginning Supervisor Course (BTMC) or a Beginning School Bus driver course within their first year of being named the Transportation Supervisor.
18 hours of instruction over 3 days & 3 Months.  You MUST attend all 3 days of the course and these are held by Zoom.
Email Lori Malnor (lmalnor@nmu.edu) to register.

Forms

• Request for temporary certification (white card)
• Registration Form (beginning /continuing)

2026-2027 Course Schedule 

Supervisor CE training Coming soon. 

Please Note:  Public Act 187 states, "The person or persons in charge of school bus operations at a school shall successfully complete 6 hours of supervisory continuing education every 2 years after the successful completion of the beginning school bus driver or beginning supervisor training programs."

This is an online course and should be completed before September 30, 2026.
For more information regarding Pupil Transportation in Michigan, visit the Michigan Department of Education.

School bus driver medical information and website.

Approved Physician look-up:  https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam

Medical Examination Report

Insulin Dependent School Bus Drivers: Medical Waivers are no longer required for drivers with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM). On November 19, 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations regarding ITDM changed.  A person with ITDM may be qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if he or she meets the requirements of 49 CFR 391.46. 

The commercial driver must have his or her “Treating Clinician” complete the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form, MCSA-5870, and provide the completed form to the Certified Medical Examiner.  If after reviewing the MCSA-5870, the Certified Medical Examiner determines the driver has a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled diabetes, a medical examiners certificate will be issued.