Today, New Jersey became the latest state to implement the federal waiver that allows applicants for school bus driver licensing to skip the “under-the-hood” portion of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) test.

Earlier this week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued the temporary waiver to alleviate the nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver gives states the option of forgoing the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test, which calls for applicants to identify the “under the hood” engine parts. School bus driver license applicants will still be required to pass all of the other components of the written and skills test.

Drivers receiving a CDL under this temporary waiver are permitted to operate intrastate school buses only. These drivers are not permitted to operate trucks, motorcoaches, or any other type of commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL.

The FMCSA waiver, which became effective January 3, 2022, expires March 31, 2022.