LIBERTY — In an effort to increase the pool of school bus driver applicants who require a commercial driver’s license; Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that DMV can implement a federal waiver to skip the engine compartment component, also known as “under the hood”, portion of the commercial driver license road test. 

Nick Vallone, Past President of the School Bus Drivers Association has been advocating for an ease of restrictions for the commercial driver’s license exam for some time.  “This under the hood requirement to identify components and parts, is not even something we allow our bus drivers to do, therefore it was a barrier to entry for getting more prospective drivers to take the test.”

During the Road test the applicants are still required to perform the remaining elements of the exam which includes the inspection and driving skills test.  In 2022, the DMV launched a program authorizing third parties to conduct commercial road tests.  Rolling V was the first in the state to implement the DMV Road Training, and continues to provide FREE top level CDL training and road testing to eligible candidates in the communities that it serves.  The candidates gain the valuable skills that can open them all to new employment opportunities in the company, and gives them the opportunity to join a team of caring, community minded individuals, providing local services since 1990. If anyone is interested in finding out more about obtaining their commercial driver’s license, they can apply online at www. rollingv.com.