PennDOT DL-704 School Bus Physical Form

PennDOT DL-704 School Bus Physical Form | PA Guide – The Pennsylvania PennDOT Form DL-704 (School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination) is a mandatory medical form required for anyone seeking or maintaining a school bus (S) endorsement on a Commercial Driver’s License in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This form helps ensure that school bus drivers meet the physical and mental standards needed to safely transport students.

Official sources from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and state regulations (Title 67, Chapter 71) govern the use of this form. Below is a clear, up-to-date overview for prospective and current school bus drivers in Pennsylvania.

What Is PennDOT Form DL-704?

Form DL-704 is the official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination form. It is used to document a medical evaluation that determines whether a person is physically qualified to operate a school bus.

The examining healthcare provider completes the form after evaluating the driver’s vision, hearing, medical history, and overall physical condition. If the driver passes, the provider also issues Form DL-742, the Physical Examination Certificate, which the driver must carry while operating a school bus.

You can download the official form here: Download PennDOT Form DL-704 (PDF).

Who Needs to Complete Form DL-704?

According to PennDOT and 67 Pa. Code § 71.3, the form is required for:

Every applicant for a school bus (S) endorsement
Every current holder of an S endorsement (renewal every 13 months)

Prospective drivers typically obtain the form from their prospective employer (school district or transportation contractor). The completed form is submitted to PennDOT along with other licensing documents such as Form DL-31CD (Commercial Learner’s Permit Application).

How Often Must School Bus Drivers Complete the DL-704 Physical?

School bus drivers in Pennsylvania must pass a physical examination using Form DL-704 every 13 months. This requirement is outlined in Title 67, Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Code and confirmed on official PennDOT pages.

Upon successful completion, the examining provider issues Form DL-742 (Physical Examination Certificate), which is valid for 13 months. Drivers must carry a valid DL-742 certificate whenever operating a school bus, along with their CDL (with P and S endorsements) and School Bus Endorsement card.

PennDOT typically mails a reminder letter approximately 90 days before the physical expires. Failure to submit a current DL-704 can result in cancellation of the school bus endorsement.

Who Can Perform the School Bus Physical Examination?

Under Pennsylvania regulations, the physical examination may be conducted by:

A school transportation medical practitioner
A physician (M.D. or D.O.)
A chiropractor
A Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
A physician assistant

The provider must complete and sign Form DL-704. If the driver is qualified, the provider issues the DL-742 certificate.

Key Physical Qualification Standards on Form DL-704

A person is considered physically qualified to drive a school bus if they meet the standards listed in 67 Pa. Code § 71.3. Major requirements include:

Vision: Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in the better eye (corrected or uncorrected), at least 20/50 in the poorer eye, combined field of vision of at least 160° horizontal, and ability to distinguish red, green, and amber traffic signals.
Hearing: No hearing loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear (without hearing aid) at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz. Special testing rules apply if a hearing aid is required.
Limbs: No loss or impairment of a foot, leg, hand, or arm (waivers possible after demonstrated competency).
Diabetes: No diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin or other hypoglycemic medication (waivers available under strict conditions).
Cardiovascular conditions: No history of certain heart conditions unless a waiver is granted after meeting specific testing criteria (including stress tests).
Other conditions: No uncontrolled hypertension, respiratory dysfunction, seizure disorders, mental/emotional conditions, drug/alcohol abuse, or tuberculosis in a transmittable stage that would impair safe driving.

The form also checks for any other condition the examining provider believes could impair the ability to drive a school bus safely.

Waivers for Medical Conditions

PennDOT may grant waivers for certain conditions, including:

Loss or impairment of a limb
Diabetes mellitus requiring medication
Specific cardiovascular conditions
Certain seizure disorders

Waivers require meeting detailed medical criteria and, in some cases, additional testing or ongoing reporting (for example, semi-annual diabetic exams or annual stress tests). PennDOT issues the waiver after review. Details appear on the second page of Form DL-704 and in the regulations.

How to Complete and Submit Form DL-704?

Obtain the form from your prospective employer or download the official PDF.
Schedule the physical with an authorized healthcare provider.
Complete the personal information section and provide medical history.
The provider performs the examination, completes the medical findings, and indicates whether the driver is qualified or disqualified.
If qualified, the provider issues Form DL-742.
Submit the completed DL-704 (and other required forms such as DL-31CD) to PennDOT with any applicable fees.

PennDOT also offers a digital submission option via DocuSign for Form DL-704 in some cases. For questions, contact PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300.

Download the form: Official PennDOT DL-704 PDF.

Credentials School Bus Drivers Must Carry

When operating a school bus in Pennsylvania, drivers must have in their possession:

Valid Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements
Valid Pennsylvania School Bus Endorsement card
Valid Physical Examination Certificate (DL-742)
Valid vehicle registration for the bus
Proof of insurance or financial responsibility

Note: Drivers engaged in certain “non-excepted” interstate transportation may also need a federal Medical Examiner’s Certificate in addition to the Pennsylvania school bus physical.

Additional Requirements to Become or Remain a School Bus Driver

Beyond the physical exam, Pennsylvania requires:

Minimum age of 18
Valid driver’s license
Criminal history check (Pennsylvania State Police)
Child abuse history check (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services)
FBI fingerprint-based background check (in most cases)
Minimum 20 hours of school bus-specific training (at least 14 classroom + 6 in-bus) for initial endorsement
Knowledge and skills testing (including school bus endorsement test)
Refresher training every four years (minimum 10 hours)

Full details are available on the official PennDOT page: Become a School Bus Driver.

Where to Find Official Information and Forms?

Official Form DL-704 download: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-704.pdf
Become a School Bus Driver: pa.gov school bus driver page
School Transportation FAQs: School Transportation FAQs
Pennsylvania regulations (Title 67, Chapter 71): 67 Pa. Code § 71.3

Always use the most current official PennDOT forms and verify requirements directly with PennDOT or your employer, as regulations and form versions can be updated.

Summary

The Pennsylvania PennDOT Form DL-704 is a critical safety document that ensures school bus drivers meet rigorous physical standards every 13 months. Completing this form accurately and on time is essential for obtaining and keeping the school bus endorsement. Download the official form, schedule your exam with an authorized provider, and submit the completed paperwork to PennDOT to stay in compliance and help keep Pennsylvania’s students safe on the road.