Amid Driver Shortage, Maryland To Expedite Driving Tests & Credentials For School Bus Drivers

3 years ago 354

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) — To assistance conscionable the needs of schoolhouse districts crossed the state, Governor Larry Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Transportation MVA to assistance schoolhouse autobus drivers get their investigating and credentials, getting them connected the roadworthy arsenic rapidly arsenic possible.

Part of the directive includes “Bus Driver’s Day astatine the MVA” astatine definite MVA locations.

Just earlier the commencement of the schoolhouse year, WJZ reported immoderate section districts are dealing with a large autobus operator shortage.

“It’s existent hard to find autobus drivers close now,” said Robbin Marshall, with Baltimore City Public Schools. “We cognize that there’s going to beryllium issues transporting kids if we don’t get these positions filled.”

Officials said that the MVA proactively began to streamline assignment scheduling for autobus operator trainees by coordinating with schoolhouse systems.

The MVA said it is presently offering Commercial Driver’s Licenses astatine pre-pandemic levels, and it precocious launched a relation successful the Central Scheduling System that allows customers to marque same-day appointments by taking cancellations.

“Throughout the pandemic, serving CDL holders, particularly those successful industries that are captious to the proviso concatenation and authorities services, has been a apical precedence for us,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “We volition proceed to enactment with our partners and section schoolhouse districts to get their autobus drivers, archetypal responders and each different commercialized drivers connected the roadworthy safely and efficiently.”

The MVA said schoolhouse districts and autobus drivers should email schoolbus@mdot.maryland.gov to docket cognition and skills investigating successful advance. Contact accusation including a phone number, driver’s licence fig and a preferred clip and determination to assistance with scheduling are requested successful the email.

The “Bus Driver’s Day astatine the MVA” locations tin beryllium recovered below. Scheduling times are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

· Glen Burnie, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie;

· Bel Air, 501 W MacPhail Road, Bel Air;

· Frederick, 1601 Bowmans Farm Road, Frederick;

· Easton, 9148 Centreville Road, Easton;

· Waldorf, 11 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf; and

· Gaithersburg, 15 Metropolitan Grove Road, Gaithersburg.

Those readying to be the lawsuit are asked to cancel immoderate different existing CDL appointments.

Any applicants having occupation with scheduling oregon who request contiguous assistance are asked to interaction the lawsuit work squad astatine at MVACS@mdot.state.md.us oregon connected Facebook and Twitter @MD_MVA.

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