HR 2360
To permanently extend the exemption from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement for school bus drivers, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to permanently allow states to exempt school bus drivers from the “under-the-hood” testing requirement for a commercial driver's license (CDL). As background, on December 2, 2024, the FMCSA renewed an exemption through November 28, 2026, that allows states to exempt all school bus driver applicants for a CDL from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, commonly referred to as the under-the-hood testing requirement. States must meet certain terms and conditions for the exemption. Under the bill, the FMCSA must make permanent the December 2, 2024, exemption, thus permanently allowing states to exempt school bus drivers from the under-the-hood testing requirement. States must meet the additional terms and conditions for an exemption, which include (1) restricting school bus drivers who are issued a CDL based on the exemption to the intrastate operation of school buses, and (2) requiring states to conduct the remaining pre-trip vehicle inspection components of the skills test. Further, the FMCSA must require any state participating in the exemption to submit an annual report describing the number of drivers that obtain a CDL under the exemption.
Bill status
- Status
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Rep. John R. Carter [R-TX-31]
- Cosponsors
- 16
- Policy area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Introduced
- 2025-03-26
- Latest action
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Committee referrals
Recent actions
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House