S. 1284 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMakes school bus driver testing exemption permanent
Right now, the federal government temporarily allows states to let school bus drivers skip the "under-the-hood" part of their commercial driver's license test—the part where they have to inspect the engine and other parts under the hood. This bill would make that exemption permanent instead of letting it expire. States that use this exemption would still have to require drivers to complete the other parts of the vehicle inspection test, and they'd have to report how many drivers take this route each year.
How it affects you
If you're a school bus driver seeking a commercial license, your state might make it easier for you to get certified by skipping the under-the-hood inspection test. However, states choosing this option would restrict you to driving school buses only within your state, and you'd still need to pass all the other parts of the vehicle inspection test.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 3, 2025)
Driving Forward Act
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1284
A BILL
Driving Forward Act
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) · Introduced Apr 3, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 3, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”