The following are school bus driver requirements:
(1) School bus drivers shall wear a properly adjusted seat belt whenever the school bus is in motion.
(2) School bus drivers shall immediately report any suspected malfunction or needed repair of the school bus in their charge.
(3) A school bus driver shall only allow individuals authorized under the provisions of chapter
392-144 WAC to operate the school bus with passengers on board. No person except the driver shall be allowed to sit in the driver's seat.
(4) Except in accordance with district policy no school bus driver shall leave the driver's seat without first securing the school bus by setting the parking brake, placing the transmission in the manufacturer's recommended position, shutting off the engine, and removing the key from the ignition switch. The keys shall be kept in the driver's or other authorized school official's possession.
(5) All school bus drivers shall meet the qualifications established in chapter
392-144 WAC prior to transporting students.
(6) Except in accordance with district policy, a school bus driver shall not use a personal electronic device for personal communications while operating a school bus, except for the use of such devices to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property, as permitted under RCW
46.61.667. For the purpose of this section, operating a school bus is defined as when the school bus engine is running.
(7) Except in accordance with district policy, a school bus driver shall not distribute anything edible to students riding the bus.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
46.61.380. WSR 16-10-114, § 392-145-031, filed 5/4/16, effective 9/1/16; WSR 07-05-058, § 392-145-031, filed 2/20/07, effective 11/1/07.]