PennDOT DL-705 DS: School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Form – School bus drivers in Pennsylvania play a critical role in student safety. Maintaining medical qualification is essential, especially for cardiovascular health. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) requires Form DL-705 DS, the School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Waiver Form designed for electronic submission, for drivers with certain heart-related histories seeking a waiver under state regulations.
This comprehensive guide covers everything U.S. school bus drivers, medical providers, and transportation coordinators in Pennsylvania need to know about the DL-705 DS form, eligibility criteria, electronic filing process, and official resources.
What Is PennDOT Form DL-705 DS?
Form DL-705 DS is the electronic version of the School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Waiver Form issued by PennDOT’s Bureau of Driver Licensing. The “DS” suffix indicates it supports digital signature and electronic submission through PennDOT’s secure online system (powered by DocuSign).
This form is used when a school bus driver has a history of specific cardiovascular conditions that would otherwise disqualify them under 67 Pa. Code § 71.3. Successful completion and approval grants an annual waiver, allowing the driver to maintain their School Bus (S) endorsement.
The printable/downloadable version of the form is available directly from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Official Download Link: Download PennDOT Form DL-705 DS (PDF)
Who Needs to Complete the DL-705 DS Form?
According to Pennsylvania regulations, a person is physically qualified to drive a school bus without a cardiovascular waiver if they have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, or pacemaker insertion.
Drivers who may qualify for a waiver (and therefore need Form DL-705) include those with a history of:
- Coronary artery disease
- Previous myocardial infarction
- Congenital heart defects
- Cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, or myocarditis
- Chronic atrial flutter/fibrillation or valvular heart disease
- Corrective surgeries such as coronary angioplasty, valve repair/replacement, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or ablative surgery for paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmias
Waivers are reviewed annually. Certain conditions permanently disqualify a driver from receiving a waiver, including symptomatic coronary artery disease, implanted automatic cardioverter/defibrillators, history of ventricular tachycardia (excluding couplets and triplets), ventricular fibrillation, or sudden cardiac death.
Key Eligibility Criteria for the Cardiovascular Waiver
Under 67 Pa. Code § 71.3(b)(5), a waiver may be granted if the individual annually meets all of the following 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 requirements apply for permanent pacemaker insertion (must be at least two months post-insertion and under regular follow-up) and chronic atrial flutter/fibrillation (must be on anticoagulant therapy with aspirin or Coumadin and demonstrate adequate rate control).
These standards help ensure school bus drivers can safely operate vehicles carrying Pennsylvania’s students.
How to Complete and Electronically Submit Form DL-705 DS?
PennDOT introduced electronic submission for many medical and driver licensing forms, including those with a “DS” designation, to speed processing and improve customer service. The process for DL-705 DS is straightforward:
- Download the official form using the link above or access it through PennDOT’s Forms, Publications, and Maps page.
- Click the secure electronic submission link provided on the form instructions.
- Enter your full name and email address (and any additional signer’s information if the form requires multiple signatures, such as the healthcare provider).
- Click “Begin Signing” to open the fillable form.
- Complete all required fields accurately. The form typically includes patient/driver information, medical history details, stress test results, medication information, and the healthcare provider’s certification.
- Add electronic signatures as prompted.
- Click “Finish.” The completed form is automatically emailed to PennDOT for prompt processing.
For technical assistance with the digital signature process, contact PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300 and reference “DocuSign DVS.” For questions about the form content itself, reference “Driver Licensing Form.”
Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET (excluding holidays).
Related School Bus Driver Medical Requirements in Pennsylvania
The cardiovascular waiver is part of the broader School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination requirements under Title 67, Chapter 71. Drivers must also meet standards for vision, hearing, diabetes (separate waiver available via Form DL-122A/B), seizure disorders, limb impairments, and other conditions.
Key related forms and resources include:
- Form DL-704 – School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination
- PennDOT Medical Reporting Forms page (healthcare providers may need credentials to access some protected forms)
- Official information on becoming a school bus driver: How to Become a School Bus Driver in PA
Physical examination certificates (DL-742) are typically valid for one year, and school bus drivers must complete refresher training every four years.
Why Electronic Submission Matters for Pennsylvania School Bus Drivers?
Since 2023, PennDOT has expanded electronic submission options for more than 20 commonly used driver licensing and motor vehicle forms. Forms marked with “DS” allow secure online completion, digital signatures, and direct electronic delivery to PennDOT. This reduces mailing delays, lowers the risk of lost paperwork, and enables faster processing—critical for drivers who need to maintain active status to transport students.
Using the official electronic process also ensures the form reaches the correct Medical Unit within the Bureau of Driver Licensing.
Important Contacts and Official Resources
- PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services Customer Call Center: 717-412-5300
- Mailing Address (for non-electronic submissions if needed): Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68684, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684
- Official PennDOT Website: pa.gov/agencies/dmv
- Medical Reporting Information: Medical Reporting Forms
- Full Text of School Bus Driver Physical Standards: 67 Pa. Code § 71.3
Frequently Asked Questions About Form DL-705 DS
Is the DL-705 DS form required every year?
Yes. Cardiovascular waivers under Chapter 71 are granted on an annual basis and require updated medical documentation each year.
Can any doctor complete the form?
The physical examination and waiver documentation must be completed by a school transportation medical practitioner, physician, chiropractor, certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP), or physician assistant authorized under Pennsylvania regulations.
What happens if my waiver is denied?
You may request a re-examination or independent review in certain cases. Contact PennDOT’s Medical Unit for guidance.
Where can I get the most current version of the form?
Always download the latest version from the official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website using the link provided earlier in this article to ensure you have the current electronic submission instructions.
Conclusion
The Pennsylvania PennDOT Form DL-705 DS – School Bus Driver Cardiovascular Form (Electronic Submission) is a vital tool that balances rigorous safety standards with the ability for qualified drivers with managed cardiovascular conditions to continue serving their communities. By following the official eligibility criteria in 67 Pa. Code § 71.3 and using the secure electronic submission process, drivers and healthcare providers can efficiently maintain compliance.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to official PennDOT resources and consult with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with Pennsylvania school bus driver medical standards.