PennDOT DL-720 DS: PA School Bus Driver Skills Test

What Is PennDOT Form DL-720 DS?

Form DL-720 is the official Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Recertification Skills Test form. It records the results of the required skills evaluation that holders of a school bus (“S”) endorsement must complete every four years.

The “DS” version supports electronic completion and submission through a secure digital signature platform (DocuSign). After the form is filled out and signed by both the driver and the authorized instructor or tester, it is automatically emailed to PennDOT for processing.

You can download the electronic submission instructions and access the form here:

Download PennDOT Form DL-720 Electronic Submission (PDF)

When Is the Recertification Skills Test Required?

Under Pennsylvania regulations (Title 67, Chapter 71), every holder of a school bus endorsement must complete a recertification skills evaluation every four years. This evaluation is part of the broader recertification process that also includes:

• A minimum of 10 hours of refresher training (at least 7 hours classroom and 3 hours in-bus instruction)
• Passing the School Bus Knowledge Test
• Passing a road test / skills evaluation in a school bus of the class the driver is licensed to operate

PennDOT typically mails a recertification notice approximately one year before the endorsement expires. Drivers may also request a recertification letter online through the official Driver and Vehicle Services portal. The skills evaluation documented on Form DL-720 must be completed in a school bus representative of the class listed on the driver’s license.

What Does the Skills Evaluation Include?

According to 67 Pa. Code § 71.4, the recertification skills evaluation consists of three parts:

1. Safety Inspection – The driver must correctly inspect a series of safety items (lighting systems, emergency equipment, tires, brakes, etc.). A passing score requires correctly inspecting at least 12 items. Failure to properly perform the air brake check results in automatic failure of this portion.
2. Basic Skills Test – Includes specific maneuvers such as railroad crossing procedures and other fundamental skills.
3. On-Road Driving Test – Evaluates stopping, starting, merging, intersection driving, and other on-road performance. Accumulating too many errors, committing a traffic offense, or causing an incident results in failure.

If a driver fails one portion, they may return on another day to retest only the failed section. The instructor or authorized third-party tester certifies the results on Form DL-720.

How to Complete and Submit Form DL-720 Electronically?

PennDOT has made Form DL-720 available for electronic submission to reduce processing time and eliminate the need for mailing paper forms. The process works as follows:

1. Access the electronic submission link provided on the official PennDOT form page.
2. Enter your full name and email address. If the form requires multiple signatures (driver and instructor), you will also enter the other signer’s information.
3. Click “Begin Signing” to open the interactive form.
4. Complete all required fields with accurate information about the driver, instructor, school district or contractor, class of bus, and test results.
5. Add the required digital signatures.
6. Click “Finish.” The completed form is automatically emailed to PennDOT for processing.

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

Additional Requirements for Maintaining a School Bus Endorsement

In addition to the skills test recorded on Form DL-720, school bus drivers must meet ongoing requirements, including:

• A valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with both Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements
• A current School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination (typically Form DL-704) completed every 13 months, resulting in a Physical Examination Certificate (DL-742) that must be carried while operating a school bus
• Background checks (Pennsylvania State Police criminal history and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child abuse history clearance)
• Compliance with any applicable medical examiner’s certificate rules if engaged in non-excepted interstate or certain other transportation

Official information on becoming and remaining a school bus driver is available on the PennDOT Become a School Bus Driver page.

Benefits of Electronic Submission

Since 2023, PennDOT has expanded electronic submission options for many driver licensing and motor vehicle forms. Forms marked with a “DS” suffix can be completed, signed, and submitted online. This change allows PennDOT staff to begin processing forms more quickly, reduces mail delays, and provides a more convenient experience for drivers and instructors across Pennsylvania.

Printable versions of forms remain available for those who prefer traditional paper submission.

Where to Get Official Help and Resources?

• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center: 717-412-5300 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET)
• Official forms and publications: Available through the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services website
• School Bus Driver Licensing Process Fact Sheet and related manuals: Published by PennDOT
• Recertification letter requests: Available through the online driver’s license/photo ID services portal

Always verify the most current requirements and form versions directly with PennDOT, as regulations and procedures can be updated.

Conclusion

PennDOT Form DL-720 DS streamlines the documentation of the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Recertification Skills Test. By using the electronic submission option, drivers and certified instructors can complete the required skills evaluation paperwork efficiently and help ensure timely processing by the Department of Transportation.