PennDOT DL-122A School Bus Driver Diabetic Waiver Form

What Is PennDOT Form DL-122A?

Form DL-122A is the official School Bus Driver Diabetic Waiver Form used by PennDOT. Under 67 Pa. Code § 71.3(b)(4), a person is not automatically qualified to drive a school bus if they have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus that currently requires the use of insulin or other hypoglycemic medication.

A waiver may be granted when the driver meets specific medical and monitoring standards. Form DL-122A documents the required diabetic examination results, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test results, and related certifications from the treating health care provider. The form is initiated by the primary physician and may also involve an eye examination physician.

There is also a related follow-up form (DL-122B) used for more frequent reporting when required.

Who Needs the School Bus Driver Diabetic Waiver?

Any Pennsylvania school bus driver who uses insulin or other hypoglycemic medication must apply for and maintain a diabetic waiver using Form DL-122A (or its successor electronic process). This requirement applies to drivers seeking or holding the School Bus (S) endorsement on a Commercial Driver’s License.

Drivers who do not require medication for diabetes do not need this waiver. The standard School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination Form (DL-704) and Physical Examination Certificate (DL-742) still apply to all school bus drivers.

Eligibility Requirements for the Diabetic Waiver

According to 67 Pa. Code § 71.3(b)(4) and official PennDOT guidance, a waiver may be granted if the individual meets all of the following conditions:

• There has been no incident of a severe hypoglycemic reaction or symptomatic hyperglycemia, and the individual has been free from an insulin reaction resulting in loss of consciousness, attention or awareness, or the need for assistance from another person, for the preceding 12 months.
• The driver submits to a diabetic examination every 6 months and provides the results of the examination along with HbA1C test results on the Department-provided form. The health care provider must be familiar with the person’s diabetic history for the prior 24 months (or have access to that history) and certify that the individual is under good diabetic control.
• If the driver has two consecutive HbA1C test results greater than 8%, additional diabetic examinations are required every 3 months. These include review of self-monitoring blood glucose logs. Once two consecutive HbA1C results are 8% or less, the more frequent reporting may be discontinued.
• The driver submits to an annual dilated eye examination and reports the results on a form provided by the Department.

A limited exception exists for individuals who experienced a recent severe hypoglycemic reaction or symptomatic hyperglycemia. A waiver may still be possible if the person has been free of such episodes for the preceding 12 months and the subsequent episode occurred while under a treating physician’s care during a nonrecurring transient illness, toxic ingestion, or metabolic imbalance. The treating physician must certify in writing that it was a temporary or isolated incident not likely to recur.

Ongoing Diabetes Management Requirements for School Bus Drivers

Once hired (or upon obtaining the waiver), school bus drivers with diabetes must actively manage their condition according to these rules:

• Self-monitor blood glucose 1 hour before driving and at least every 4 hours while driving or on duty, using a portable blood glucose monitoring device with computerized memory.
• If blood glucose is below 80 mg/dL or above 350 mg/dL, the driver may not operate the school bus until appropriate measures are taken and the reading is retested and falls within the acceptable range.
• Submit computerized glucometer results for review by the treating health care provider or school transportation medical practitioner, and also provide them to the provider conducting the diabetic examination.
• Maintain a manual blood glucose monitoring log and submit it, together with the device’s computerized log, every 6 months to the health care provider performing the diabetic examination.
• Carry a source of rapidly absorbable glucose at all times while driving a school bus.

Failure to comply with these requirements or loss of good diabetic control can result in the waiver being rescinded. A reviewing health care provider who determines the driver is no longer qualified must promptly report the findings to PennDOT.

How to Obtain and Complete Form DL-122A?

Form DL-122A is completed primarily by the driver’s primary physician (and, if needed, an eye examination physician). Health care providers typically access the current version through PennDOT’s medical reporting system.

PennDOT also offers an electronic submission option via DocuSign. The primary physician initiates the form. After entering required information and obtaining necessary signatures, the completed form is emailed directly to PennDOT for processing.

You can download the official PDF version of Form DL-122A here:

Download Official PennDOT Form DL-122A (PDF)

For questions about the form itself or technical issues with the digital signature process, contact PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300. Reference “Driver Licensing Form” for form-related questions or “DocuSign DVS” for electronic submission issues.

Related Forms and Physical Examination Requirements

All school bus drivers must pass a physical examination under Title 67, Chapter 71, using Form DL-704. The examining practitioner issues Form DL-742 (Physical Examination Certificate) if the driver is qualified. The diabetic waiver process works in conjunction with this annual (or more frequent) physical examination requirement.

Drivers who transport students for purposes other than regular home-to-school routes (for example, certain out-of-state field trips) may have additional federal medical certification obligations depending on employment status and commerce type. Most routine school bus operations in Pennsylvania fall under state Chapter 71 standards.

Why the Diabetic Waiver Matters for School Bus Safety?

Pennsylvania maintains strict medical standards for school bus drivers because of the responsibility of transporting children. The diabetic waiver process balances the ability of well-managed individuals with diabetes to continue working while ensuring ongoing medical oversight, regular testing, and strict self-monitoring rules that help prevent impairment while driving.

The current rules were updated to distinguish severe hypoglycemic reactions and symptomatic hyperglycemia, shorten certain disqualification periods from two years to 12 months where appropriate, and require regular HbA1C and eye examinations to monitor long-term control and detect complications such as diabetic retinopathy.

Where to Find Official Information and Support?

Always rely on official PennDOT sources for the most current requirements and forms:

• PennDOT Medical Reporting Forms page (lists DL-122A under Chapter 71 School Bus Driver Medical Regulations)
• 67 Pa. Code § 71.3 – Physical examination (full regulatory text)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center: 717-412-5300

School districts, transportation contractors, and individual drivers should verify the latest version of Form DL-122A and any procedural updates directly with PennDOT, as forms and submission methods can change.

Summary

Pennsylvania school bus drivers who use insulin or other hypoglycemic medication must obtain and maintain a diabetic waiver using PennDOT Form DL-122A. Eligibility requires at least 12 months free of severe hypoglycemic reactions or symptomatic hyperglycemia, biannual diabetic examinations with HbA1C results, annual dilated eye exams, and strict daily blood glucose self-monitoring and logging practices. The official form and detailed requirements are available through PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services.