PennDOT DL-705 School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Form Guide – School bus drivers in Pennsylvania must meet strict medical standards to ensure the safety of students. One critical requirement involves cardiovascular health. When a driver has a history of certain heart conditions, they may need to complete PennDOT Form DL-705, the official School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Waiver Form. This guide explains what the form is, who needs it, the eligibility criteria, how to complete it, and where to download the official document.
What Is PennDOT Form DL-705?
Form DL-705 is the School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Waiver Form issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Driver Licensing. It allows qualified school bus drivers with specific cardiovascular histories to obtain or maintain a school bus endorsement (“S” endorsement) if they meet detailed medical criteria.
Under 67 Pa. Code § 71.3, a person is generally not physically qualified to drive a school bus if they have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, or pacemaker insertion. However, a waiver may be granted for certain conditions when the driver annually meets the standards outlined on Form DL-705.
The form is completed by a licensed health care provider (physician, school transportation medical practitioner, chiropractor, certified registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) and submitted to PennDOT.
Who Needs to Complete Form DL-705?
School bus drivers (or applicants for the S endorsement) who have a history of any of the following conditions typically need to submit Form DL-705 for a cardiovascular waiver:
- Coronary artery disease
- Previous myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Congenital heart defects
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericarditis or myocarditis
- Chronic atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation
- Valvular heart disease
- Individuals who have undergone corrective surgery for congenital heart defects, coronary angioplasty, valve repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or ablative surgery for paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmias
- Permanent pacemaker insertion (after the required waiting period)
Drivers without any of these histories who meet the standard physical examination requirements on Form DL-704 generally do not need DL-705.
Key Eligibility Criteria for the Cardiovascular Waiver
According to Pennsylvania regulations and the form itself, a waiver may be granted if the individual annually meets these criteria:
- The individual is asymptomatic from the disorder or is receiving medication used to treat the disorder and remains asymptomatic on medication.
- The individual completes seven METs (metabolic equivalents) on a treadmill stress EKG test, preferably following the Bruce or Balke protocols, and achieves 85% of the predicted maximal heart rate without symptoms or EKG changes. If the resting EKG is abnormal or the individual is on digoxin, a stress thallium test should be performed.
- An echo, gated blood pool scan, or left ventriculogram measures a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or greater.
Additional specific rules apply:
- For permanent pacemaker insertion: The individual must be at least two months post-insertion, asymptomatic, and demonstrate regular pacemaker follow-up.
- For chronic atrial flutter/fibrillation: The individual must be on anticoagulant therapy with aspirin or Coumadin (warfarin) and demonstrate adequate rate control during treadmill exercise.
Source: Official summary on the PennDOT Medical Reporting Forms page and 67 Pa. Code § 71.3(b)(5).
Conditions That Prevent a Waiver
A waiver may not be granted for the following:
- Symptomatic coronary artery disease (angina), cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocarditis, atrial flutter/fibrillation or valvular heart disease, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, congestive heart failure, paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmias/tachycardia, or peripheral vascular disease
- Within two months of myocardial infarction, open heart surgery, or pacemaker insertion
- Implanted automatic cardioverter/defibrillators or antitachycardic devices
- History of ventricular tachycardia (excluding couplets and triplets), ventricular fibrillation, or sudden cardiac death with successful resuscitation
- History of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- History of carotid sinus hypersensitivity, sick sinus syndrome, symptomatic bradycardia, second-degree or third-degree heart block (unless a pacemaker has been inserted)
- Unexplained sinus tachycardia
How to Complete and Submit Form DL-705
The form is divided into sections that the health care provider completes:
- Patient information – Driver’s license number, personal details, and contact information
- Section A – Questions about the patient’s condition, duration of treatment, medications, and whether the patient has been asymptomatic
- Section B – Detailed questions for specific heart conditions, including stress test results, dates, and findings
- Section C – Information for patients with a permanent pacemaker
- Section D – Certification regarding conditions that prohibit a waiver
- Health care provider information and signature – Provider’s name, specialty, license number, address, and attestation under penalty of law
After completion, the form is submitted to:
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 68684
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684
Phone: (717) 787-6453
The cardiovascular waiver must be renewed annually, typically in conjunction with the required annual school bus driver physical examination (Form DL-704).
Download the Official PennDOT Form DL-705
Always use the current official version of the form from PennDOT. You can download Form DL-705 (School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Waiver Form) directly here:
Download Official PennDOT Form DL-705 PDF
Note: Health care providers may need medical reporting login credentials to access certain protected medical forms through the PennDOT system. Drivers and employers can still download the public version of DL-705 using the link above.
Related School Bus Driver Medical Requirements in Pennsylvania
Form DL-705 works alongside other key medical forms and requirements:
- Form DL-704 – School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination Form (required annually)
- Form DL-742 – Physical Examination Certificate (must be carried while operating a school bus)
- Diabetes waiver requirements (if applicable) using related forms such as DL-122A
- Vision, hearing, and other physical standards under 67 Pa. Code Chapter 71
For the most current information on school bus driver medical standards, visit the official PennDOT Medical Reporting Forms page and the Become a School Bus Driver resource on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website.
Why Cardiovascular Standards Matter for School Bus Drivers
School bus drivers are entrusted with the safety of children. Cardiovascular conditions that could lead to sudden impairment, syncope, or loss of consciousness present significant risks. The DL-705 waiver process balances the need to keep experienced drivers on the road with rigorous medical oversight that prioritizes student safety.
Drivers and employers should work closely with qualified health care providers familiar with PennDOT school bus regulations. Incomplete or outdated forms can delay licensing or result in the denial of a waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must the DL-705 waiver be renewed?
Annually, in conjunction with the required annual physical examination.
Can a chiropractor or CRNP complete the form?
Yes. Under Pennsylvania regulations, a school transportation medical practitioner, physician, chiropractor, CRNP, or physician assistant may perform the examination and complete the related forms.
Where do I send the completed form?
Mail it to the Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68684, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684.
Is Form DL-705 the same as a regular CDL medical certificate?
No. School bus drivers in Pennsylvania primarily follow the state-specific standards in Chapter 71 rather than the federal FMCSA medical examiner’s certificate for most home-to-school operations. DL-705 is specific to the cardiovascular waiver under Pennsylvania school bus regulations.
Conclusion
PennDOT Form DL-705 plays an essential role in ensuring that school bus drivers with certain cardiovascular histories can safely continue their important work. By meeting the detailed clinical criteria and submitting accurate documentation, eligible drivers can obtain the necessary waiver while upholding Pennsylvania’s high standards for student transportation safety.
For the official form and the latest guidance, always refer to PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services resources. Download the current Form DL-705 using the official link provided above and consult your health care provider or employer for assistance with the process.