Pennsylvania PennDOT Form DL-714 School Bus Training Report – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Form DL-714, known as the School Bus Drivers Training Report Form, is a critical official document for anyone seeking or maintaining a school bus endorsement (S endorsement) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This form records the required classroom (or virtual) and one-on-one in-bus training completed by school bus drivers. It ensures compliance with state safety standards designed to protect students during transportation.
What Is PennDOT Form DL-714?
Form DL-714 (current revision 2-24) is the official School Bus Drivers Training Report used by PennDOT’s Bureau of Driver Licensing. It documents that a driver has completed the mandated minimum hours of instruction covering all required topics. The form includes sections for:
- Driver identification (name, driver’s license number, email)
- Employer or Intermediate Unit / School District / Contractor information
- Classroom or virtual training hours and dates
- One-on-one in-bus training hours and topics
- Attestation by the driver and signatures by certified instructors
PennDOT maintains records of completed DL-714 forms as part of the school bus driver certification process. The form is referenced throughout the official Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Instructor’s Manual and the School Bus Driver Licensing Process Fact Sheet.
School Bus Driver Training Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law and PennDOT regulations establish clear minimum training standards to promote the safety of school children. These requirements differ for initial certification and recertification.
New School Bus Driver Certification Training Hours
To initially obtain the school bus endorsement, drivers must complete a minimum of 20 hours of school bus-specific instruction provided by a certified school bus driver instructor:
- 14 hours of classroom or virtual training
- 6 hours of one-on-one in-bus training
All listed topics on Form DL-714 must be covered. After passing the required knowledge tests and completing training, the driver becomes eligible for the skills (road) test administered by a PennDOT examiner or approved third-party tester.
Note: Drivers generally have 120 days from the issuance of the S endorsement to complete the full 20 hours of training if not finished beforehand.
Recertification (Refresher) Training Requirements
To maintain the school bus endorsement, every four years a driver must complete a minimum of 10 hours of refresher training:
- 7 hours of classroom or virtual training
- 3 hours of one-on-one in-bus training
Drivers must also pass the school bus knowledge examination and a skills evaluation in a school bus representative of the class they are licensed to operate. The completed DL-714 form documents that these minimum hours and all required topics have been met.
Official details are available on the PennDOT Become a School Bus Driver page and the School Bus Driver Licensing Process Fact Sheet (PDF).
Topics Covered on Form DL-714
Form DL-714 requires verification that every listed topic has been covered. Classroom/virtual topics typically include:
- Introduction
- School Bus Driver: Role, Responsibilities, and Requirements
- Student Management and Discipline
- Student Loading and Unloading
- Transportation of Students with Disabilities
- Preventative Maintenance
- Safe Driving
- Fundamentals of Driving a School Bus
- Crash and Emergency Procedures
- Student Emergencies
- Parked Bus
- Commercial Driver License
- Entry Level Driver Training
- Summary and Post/ELDT Test
One-on-one in-bus training topics include pre-trip inspection, on-road checks, entering traffic, intersections, lane changes, passing, downgrades, braking, railroad crossings (actual or simulated), student loading/unloading (actual or simulated), danger zones and mirrors, emergency/evacuation procedures, and post-trip inspection, among others.
The in-bus portion must be conducted one-on-one with a certified instructor. Drivers are strongly advised not to sign the form if the minimum hours were not provided or if in-bus training was not one-on-one.
How to Complete and Submit Form DL-714?
The form is typically completed by the certified training instructor(s) with the driver. Key steps include:
- Enter the Intermediate Unit, School District, or Contractor name.
- Record the driver’s full name, driver’s license number, and email address.
- Document classroom/virtual training dates, start/end times, break times, instructor numbers, and total hours (classroom and virtual).
- Have the driver attest to the total classroom/virtual hours completed.
- On the reverse side, document one-on-one in-bus training details and confirm all topics were covered.
- Obtain signatures from the training instructor(s) and the driver.
The driver’s signature certifies, under penalty of law, that the information is true and correct. Falsification is a misdemeanor of the third degree, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
If the minimum training hours are not provided, drivers should not sign the form and may contact PennDOT’s School Bus Safety Unit at (717) 787-6453 or [email protected].
Completed forms are maintained as official records and used to support the issuance or renewal of the school bus endorsement.
Download the Official PennDOT Form DL-714 PDF
Always use the most current official version of the form. The latest Form DL-714 (revision 2-24) is available directly from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Download Pennsylvania PennDOT Form DL-714 – School Bus Drivers Training Report Form (PDF)
You can also access related forms and the full instructor materials from the official School Bus Instructors page on pa.gov.
Additional Requirements for Pennsylvania School Bus Drivers
Form DL-714 is only one part of the overall process. Drivers must also:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements
- Pass a School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination (Form DL-704) every 13 months
- Complete criminal history and child abuse clearances
- Pass vision screening, knowledge tests, and a skills test that includes pre-trip inspection, basic maneuvers, on-road driving, simulated student discharge, and railroad crossing
For complete step-by-step guidance, visit the official PennDOT resources linked throughout this article.
Why Accurate Completion of Form DL-714 Matters?
Student safety is the primary goal of Pennsylvania’s school bus driver training program. Accurate documentation on Form DL-714 helps ensure every driver has received standardized, high-quality instruction covering critical topics such as loading/unloading procedures, emergency response, and safe vehicle operation. Incomplete or falsified training reports undermine this safety system and carry serious legal consequences.
School districts, contractors, and Intermediate Units rely on properly completed DL-714 forms to verify that their drivers meet state requirements before assigning routes.
Contact PennDOT for School Bus Training Questions
For questions about Form DL-714, training curriculum, instructor certification, or the overall school bus driver program, contact:
PennDOT School Bus Safety Unit
Phone: (717) 787-6453
Email: [email protected]
Official forms, manuals, and updates are published on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania websites. Always refer to the most recent documents available on pa.gov.