PennDOT DL-711: PA School Bus Instructor Certification

PennDOT DL-711: PA School Bus Instructor Certification – The safety of Pennsylvania’s schoolchildren depends heavily on well-trained school bus drivers. Certified instructors play a critical role in delivering consistent, high-quality training. PennDOT Form DL-711, officially titled the School Bus Driver Instructor Certification, is the primary document used to apply for initial certification or complete the annual renewal of that privilege.

This guide explains everything U.S. applicants—especially those in Pennsylvania—need to know about Form DL-711, eligibility, submission requirements, and related regulations under 67 Pa. Code Chapter 71. All information is drawn from official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sources.

What Is PennDOT Form DL-711?

Form DL-711 is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Bureau of Driver Licensing. It serves two main purposes:

Initial Certification as a School Bus Driver Instructor
Annual Renewal of Certification

The form collects instructor information, employer details, and required affidavits from both the applicant and the supervising Instructor Coordinator. The current version is DL-711 (1-26). It must be submitted to the Bureau of Driver Licensing at P.O. Box 68684, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684.

Official download link: Download PennDOT Form DL-711 (PDF)

You can also access the form and related resources on the official School Bus Instructors page maintained by Driver and Vehicle Services.

Who Needs Form DL-711?

Anyone seeking to become or remain a certified school bus driver instructor in Pennsylvania must complete Form DL-711. Under 67 Pa. Code § 71.5, course instructors must possess a certificate of instruction issued by the Department. Instructors may be employees of a public school district, intermediate unit, or school bus contractor.

Certified instructors are responsible for delivering the mandatory training that school bus drivers need to obtain or maintain the “S” (School Bus) endorsement on their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Eligibility Requirements for School Bus Driver Instructors

To qualify for certification, an applicant must meet several key standards:

Hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License of the same or higher class as the vehicles being used for instruction, with all necessary endorsements (including Passenger “P” and School Bus “S” endorsements when required).
Be supervised by a certified Instructor Coordinator.
Receive and acknowledge the current School Bus Driver Training Program Administrative Procedures (dated January 2026) and 67 Pa. Code Chapter 71.
Demonstrate the ability to administer training exactly as prescribed by PennDOT.

For annual renewal, the supervising Instructor Coordinator must verify that the instructor has taught at least three units of classroom theory and at least six hours of in-bus training during the year.

Failure to follow the prescribed training program can result in suspension or decertification of instructor privileges.

How to Complete and Submit Form DL-711?

The form is divided into clear sections:

Check the appropriate box – Initial Certification or Annual Renewal of Certification. Provide the name of the Instructor Coordinator for initial certification or the date and location of the required update for renewal.
Instructor Information – Full name, instructor number (if renewing), driver’s license number, phone, fax, email, and mailing address.
Employer Information – Name of the school district, contractor, or intermediate unit, along with contact details and mailing address. Note that relocation, termination of employment, or retirement requires an endorsement from the supervising Instructor Coordinator for continued appointment.
Affidavit for Certification as an Instructor – The applicant swears they have received the Administrative Procedures and relevant chapters of Title 67, understands the consequences of non-compliance, and confirms possession of a qualifying CDL.
Supervising Instructor Coordinator Information – The coordinator must initial specific statements confirming the instructor’s knowledge of procedures and annual teaching requirements, then sign and date the form.

Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form or contact the Special Driver Programs unit for guidance.

Role of Certified Instructors in Pennsylvania School Bus Training

Certified instructors deliver the standardized curriculum found in the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Instructor’s Manual. New school bus drivers must complete a minimum of 20 hours of instruction (at least 14 hours classroom and 6 hours one-on-one in-bus training). Experienced drivers seeking recertification every four years complete a 10-hour refresher course (7 hours classroom and 3 hours in-bus).

All training must be conducted by a PennDOT-certified instructor. Instructors use official unit materials (Units A through I, plus PB and IB) and related forms such as DL-714 (Training Report) to document completion.

Additional resources, including the Instructor Applicant Certification Log (DL-712) and Instructor Training Log, are available on the official School Bus Instructors page.

Contact Information and Official Resources

For questions about Form DL-711 or instructor certification:

Phone: (717) 787-6453
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68684, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684

Key official links:

Why Proper Instructor Certification Matters?

Pennsylvania follows Federal Highway Safety Program Standard 17, which requires states to minimize the risk of death or injury to school children during transportation. Certified instructors ensure that every school bus driver receives uniform, high-quality training covering vehicle operation, student management, emergency procedures, and legal requirements.

By completing Form DL-711 accurately and maintaining annual certification, instructors help uphold the highest safety standards for students across the Commonwealth.