PennDOT DL-704 DS: School Bus Driver Physical Form

PennDOT DL-704 DS: School Bus Driver Physical Form – Pennsylvania school bus drivers must meet strict physical and medical standards to ensure the safety of students. The official form for this purpose is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination Form, known as DL-704. The electronic version, DL-704 DS, allows drivers and medical providers to complete and submit the form online through a secure DocuSign process for faster processing by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

This comprehensive guide covers everything U.S. residents, particularly those in Pennsylvania, need to know about Form DL-704 DS, including eligibility, physical requirements, how to obtain and submit the form electronically, and related regulations under Title 67, Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Code.

What Is PennDOT Form DL-704 DS?

Form DL-704 is the official School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination form required by PennDOT for anyone seeking or maintaining a school bus endorsement (S endorsement) on a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The “DS” designation indicates the version designed for electronic (digital signature) submission.

According to official PennDOT resources, school bus drivers must pass a physical examination every 13 months. Upon successful completion, the examining provider issues a Physical Examination Certificate (Form DL-742), which the driver must carry while operating a school bus.

The electronic DL-704 DS streamlines the process by allowing secure online completion, electronic signatures by the driver and medical provider, and direct submission to PennDOT via email after signing.

Download the official Form DL-704 DS here: Official PennDOT DL-704 DS PDF.

Who Needs to Complete Form DL-704?

Form DL-704 is required for:

Applicants seeking an initial school bus (S) endorsement on a Pennsylvania CDL.
Current school bus drivers renewing their physical qualification every 13 months.
Out-of-state transfers and out-of-boundary drivers (who must also complete Pennsylvania mandatory training within 120 days).

To become a school bus driver in Pennsylvania, applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, complete required training (minimum 20 hours of school bus-specific instruction), pass knowledge and skills tests, and submit the completed DL-704 along with Form DL-31CD (Application for Commercial Learner’s Permit) and applicable fees.

Drivers must also undergo criminal history and child abuse clearances as required by Pennsylvania law.

For detailed steps on becoming a school bus driver, visit the official PennDOT page: Become a School Bus Driver.

Physical and Medical Requirements for School Bus Drivers

Under 67 Pa. Code § 71.3, a person is physically qualified to operate a school bus if they meet specific standards. Key requirements include:

Vision: Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in the better eye (with or without corrective lenses) and at least 20/50 in the poorer eye; combined horizontal field of vision of at least 160 degrees; ability to distinguish red, green, and amber traffic signal colors.
Hearing: No hearing loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear (without a hearing aid) at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz. Hearing aid users must be tested by a clinically certified audiologist.
No loss or impairment of a foot, leg, hand, or arm (waivers may be available after demonstrating competency).
No disqualifying medical conditions, including:
- Diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin or other hypoglycemic medication (waivers possible with strict criteria and semi-annual reporting).
- Myocardial infarction, angina, coronary insufficiency, pacemaker, or certain other cardiovascular conditions (annual waivers available for qualifying individuals).
- Seizure disorders or conditions likely to cause loss of consciousness (waivers under specific episode-free periods).
- Uncontrolled hypertension, respiratory dysfunction, rheumatic/arthritic/orthopedic/neuromuscular diseases, mental/emotional/psychiatric disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, or tuberculosis in a transmittable stage.
No other condition that, in the examiner’s opinion, is likely to impair the safe operation of a school bus.

The examining provider (physician, chiropractor, CRNP, physician assistant, or school transportation medical practitioner) must complete the form and, if the driver is qualified, issue Form DL-742.

Waivers for certain conditions (limb impairment, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, seizures) are handled by PennDOT’s Special Driver Programs Unit. Contact them at 717-787-6453 for more information.

Full regulatory details are available in the Pennsylvania Code: Title 67, Chapter 71 – School Bus Drivers.

How to Complete and Submit Form DL-704 DS Electronically?

PennDOT introduced electronic submission for many forms, including DL-704 DS, to speed up processing and reduce wait times. The process uses DocuSign for secure digital signatures.

Steps for electronic submission:

Obtain the form from your prospective employer or download the official DL-704 DS version.
Access the electronic submission link provided on the form or through PennDOT’s forms portal.
Enter your full name and email address (and any additional signers, such as the medical provider, if required).
Click “Begin Signing.” The form will display for completion.
Fill in all required fields, including personal information, employer details (required for out-of-boundary drivers), and medical examination results.
The medical provider completes their section and adds their signature.
Add your signature at the end.
Click “Finish.” The completed form is automatically emailed to PennDOT for processing.

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

A printable/downloadable paper version of DL-704 remains available for those who prefer traditional submission by mail or fax (717-705-1131).

Official download link: Download PennDOT Form DL-704 DS (PDF).

Maintaining Your School Bus Endorsement

To keep your school bus endorsement valid:

Submit a new DL-704 physical examination form every 13 months.
Complete refresher training every four years: at least 10 hours (minimum 7 classroom + 3 in-bus) and pass the School Bus Knowledge Test (and, in some cases, a road test).
Carry your valid CDL with P and S endorsements, School Bus Endorsement Card, and current DL-742 Physical Examination Certificate at all times while operating a school bus.

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

Additional information is available in the official School Bus Driver Licensing Process Fact Sheet: School Bus Driver Licensing Process Fact Sheet (PDF).

Related Forms and Additional Resources

When applying for a school bus endorsement, you will typically need:

Form DL-704 (or DL-704 DS) – School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination
Form DL-31CD – Application for Commercial Learner’s Permit
Form DL-11CD – Self-Certification Form (for commercial drivers)
Medical Examiner’s Certificate (only if engaged in non-excepted interstate or certain out-of-state operations)

School bus drivers employed by school districts for home-to-school transportation are generally “excepted” from federal Medical Examiner’s Certificate requirements but must still comply with Pennsylvania’s Chapter 71 physical standards.

Helpful official resources:

Contact PennDOT for Assistance

For questions regarding Form DL-704 DS, school bus physical requirements, or electronic submission:

Driver and Vehicle Services Customer Call Center: 717-412-5300 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET)
Special Driver Programs Unit (waivers): 717-787-6453
Mailing Address: PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68684, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684

Always refer to the most current official PennDOT forms and publications, as requirements can be updated. Using the electronic DL-704 DS option helps ensure prompt processing and keeps Pennsylvania’s school transportation system safe and efficient for students and drivers alike.