DL 1072 Form – The DL 1072 Form, officially titled School Bus Safety Violation Notification, is a critical California DMV document used to report specific school bus driver safety violations to the state. School districts, charter schools, and private school operators rely on this form to comply with state law and protect student safety. This SEO-optimized guide explains everything about the DL 1072 Form, including its purpose, who must use it, how to complete and submit it, and the direct official PDF download link.
What is the DL 1072 Form?
The DL 1072 Form is a specialized notification document created by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Its full name is School Bus Safety Violation Notification.
It is used exclusively to alert the DMV when a school bus, school pupil activity bus, or youth bus driver has been found, through a formal disciplinary hearing, to have left a student unattended on the vehicle and left the immediate vicinity — an action determined to constitute gross negligence.
This is not a general traffic citation form or a way for the public to report drivers passing stopped school buses. It is a mandatory internal reporting tool for school transportation providers.
Purpose of the DL 1072 School Bus Safety Violation Notification
California law requires school officials to notify the DMV within 5 calendar days of a disciplinary hearing that upholds a finding of gross negligence against a driver for leaving a student unattended on a school bus.
The DL 1072 Form ensures this notification happens in a standardized way. The DMV then uses the information for driver safety actions, including possible suspension or revocation of the driver’s Special Certificate to operate a school bus. This process directly supports student safety and accountability in pupil transportation.
Who Must Use the DL 1072 Form?
Only specific authorized entities complete and submit the DL 1072 Form:
- County superintendent of schools
- Superintendent of a school district
- Charter school
- Owner or operator of a private school that provides transportation to or from school or school activities
A reporting employee (usually a supervisor or administrator) signs the form under penalty of perjury. The form cannot be used by the general public, law enforcement, or parents to report external violations.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete the DL 1072 Form?
- Type or print legibly all required driver information: full name, driver license number, and birth date.
- Enter the date the student was left on the bus and the date of the disciplinary hearing.
- Complete the mandatory checklist and confirm all boxes can be checked:
- The driver left a student unattended aboard a Schoolbus, School Pupil Activity Bus, or Youth Bus and left the immediate vicinity.
- Disciplinary action was ordered and upheld according to law or collective bargaining agreement.
- The action was determined to be gross negligence.
- Provide a detailed description of the incident (use additional sheets if needed).
- Fill in the reporting employee’s name, title, work phone number, school district/company name, and address.
- Sign and date the form.
Important: If any checklist box cannot be checked, do not submit the DL 1072 Form.
Where to Submit the Completed DL 1072 Form?
Mail the original completed form to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver Safety Services Unit, MS J234
PO Box 942890
Sacramento, CA 94290-0001
Keep a copy for your records. The DMV does not accept fax or email submissions for this form.
Official DL 1072 PDF Download Link
You can download the most current official version of the DL 1072 School Bus Safety Violation Notification directly from the California DMV website here:
Download DL 1072 PDF
This is the exact form (DL 1072 NEW 3/2017) listed on the DMV forms page and remains the current version as of 2026.
Legal Requirements: California Education Code §39843
California Education Code §39843 explicitly requires the notification process. It mandates that school authorities report the disciplinary outcome to the DMV within five calendar days when gross negligence is confirmed. The DL 1072 Form is the DMV-specified method to fulfill this legal obligation.
Background: The Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law (SB 1072)
The DL 1072 Form was introduced as part of broader school bus safety reforms following the tragic 2015 death of a student left on a school bus. Senate Bill 1072 (the Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law) strengthened protections by requiring child safety alert systems on buses and establishing this mandatory DMV notification procedure for gross negligence cases involving unattended students.
Important Notes and Warnings on the DL 1072 Form
- Use this form only for cases of leaving a student unattended that result in a gross negligence finding after a proper disciplinary hearing.
- For other pupil transportation safety violations or terminations, use DL 128 (Dismissal For Reason Involving Pupil Transportation Safety) instead.
- Submission is required under penalty of perjury. Incomplete or incorrect forms will not be processed.
DL 1072 vs. DL 128: Understanding the Difference
| Form | Purpose | Used When |
|---|---|---|
| DL 1072 | Notify DMV of gross negligence (student left unattended) | After disciplinary hearing confirms gross negligence |
| DL 128 | Report dismissal for other pupil transportation safety reasons | General safety violations or terminations (not unattended student cases) |
Always choose the correct form to avoid delays in DMV processing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DL 1072 Form
Can parents or the public use the DL 1072 Form?
No. It is strictly for authorized school officials only.
Is the DL 1072 PDF fillable?
Yes — the official PDF allows typing directly into the fields before printing and signing.
How long does the DMV have to act after receiving DL 1072?
The form triggers a review for possible action on the driver’s Special Certificate; processing times vary.
Where can I get more copies?
Download additional copies anytime from the official DMV link provided above.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official California DMV website and the DL 1072 PDF itself. Proper use of this form helps maintain the highest standards of school bus safety across California.