What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
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.
Action Timeline
2025-04-03
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2025-04-03
Introduced in Senate
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.1284 pass?
S.1284 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: 32%.
What does S.1284 do?
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 an…
Who sponsored S.1284?
S.1284 was sponsored by John Cornyn (R-Texas).
Full Bill Text
119 S1284 IS: Driving Forward Act U.S. Senate 2025-04-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1284 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 3, 2025 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Ms. Baldwin , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Kelly , and Mrs. Gillibrand ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL 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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Driving Forward Act . 2. Permanent extension of exemption from under-the-hood inspection testing requirement for school bus drivers (a) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall make permanent the exemption relating to pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test requirements for certain school bus drivers, as published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 95348), including the terms and conditions of the exemption described in paragraphs 2., 3., 4., 5., and 6. of section VII. B. of the notice granting the exemption (89 Fed. Reg. 95351). (b) Reporting For the 6-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall require any State that participates in the exemption described in subsection (a) to submit to the Secretary an annual report for each those 6 years describing the number of drivers that obtain a commercial drivers’ license under such exemption in the State.
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