FAQ’s

There is no cost to take the PDS.

SBDIs must attend a PDS each year to retain their certification as a School Bus Driver Instructor. The PDS classes are held yearly only in April and May.

If you are unable to attend a PDS, you must apply for a Hardship. Hardships are only granted one time per SBDI and are typically only granted under circumstances such as catastrophic events, medical limitations and deaths.

You must email or mail your request to PTSI. Please be aware confirming documentation may be requested.

Your SBDI Card may NOT be at your PDS for several reasons. If you signed up after we mailed the class materials, if you switched classes and your card was mailed to the original location, or we do not have a photo of you.

You now must wait until the end of the PDS season (mid May) to receive your card. Returned cards will be mailed out after all have been received but before your card expires on June 30th.

Please call Sharon at PTSI for a replacement certificate. There is a $30 replacement fee that must be paid at the time of request. We only accept credit card payments for the SBDI certificates.

No. These are two completely different types of certifications. An SBDI is a certification directly through NYSED and a CE is a certification directly through the DMV.

You need to have all of the required paperwork ready to submit to your instructor with your POST-SESSION assignment. (You have one year after the completion date of the course to do this.)

To teach school bus drivers how to secure a wheelchair, you do not need a certification – there is no requirement for certification in NYS to train someone to behind the wheel to drive a school bus. However if you are teaching securement as part of an NYSED mandated training - classroom, you must be an SBDI.

Yes, as long as it is a valid document.

No. If you cannot produce a Basic Course Certificate from NYS, you will need to re-take the Basic Course.

Please fill out the lost certificate form under the downloads section of our website. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE. Name on certificate MUST match person requesting and address for certificate to be mailed.

Please fill out the lost certificate form under the downloads section of our website. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE. Name on certificate MUST match person requesting and address for certificate to be mailed.

Please fill out the lost certificate form under the downloads section of our website. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE. Name on certificate MUST match person requesting and address for certificate to be mailed.

No Law restricts the length of a student's bus ride, although SED recommends a one hour maximum when possible. The only legal restriction against a long ride is if a child's IEP specifies a maximum ride time. The Office of Civil Rights has held that travel time for disabled students should not exceed that of typical students traveling to the same school or traveling a similar distance to school.

 No state law requires house pickups. Only school policy or a child's IEP can require it.

Certified Examiners are required in both law and regulation to attend a New York State DMV approved CE Refresher at least once every three years to maintain certification. However, since Refresher topics change annually, attending each year enables CEs to keep up with changes in regulations and learn and share ideas and concerns.

No. Anyone may attend the CE Refresher, certification is not required. As a matter of fact, we strongly encourage Motor Carriers to send other employees, such as the personal responsible for filing 19-A paperwork, for example.

There is a $30 replacement fee for a CE Refresher or CE Course certificate. Fee must be paid before receiving the certificate and can only be paid via credit card. Please call PTSI at (800)836-2210 for assistance.

No. These are two completely different types of certifications. A CE is a certification directly through the DMV and an SBDI is a certification directly through NYSED.

A certified examiner’s certificate is valid from the time of issuance until the expiration of the certified examiner’s driver’s license. Upon renewal of the CE’s driver’s license, the CE is responsible for renewing his or her certificate with DMV by filing the 19-A Certified Examiner renewal form DS-877. (See 6.13d of Part 6 of the Commissioner’s Regulations)

Once you complete your 19-A Refresher, you must then mail or fax a COPY of your certificate to the Bus Driver Unit (BDU) at DMV. You no longer need to submit a DS-877 unless your status or personal information has changed.

Email: busdriverunit@dmv.ny.gov

Fax: (518) 474-0593

Who is responsible for reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment?

New York State recognizes that certain professionals, including bus drivers and attendants, are specially equipped to fulfill the important role of mandated reporter of child abuse or maltreatment. Mandated reporters are required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment when, in their professional capacity, they are presented with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment.

NYS law requires school bus drivers to receive two hours of coursework or training regarding Identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.

For more information on training and reporting, visit: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/cps/mandated-reporter-training.php