What's happening
This bill requires bus driver credentials and operating authority to be publicly displayed and mandates annual bus driver file reviews.
Why it matters
Increases oversight and accountability. by requiring annual review of bus driver files, rather than every three years, potentially identifying safety or qualification issues sooner.
Mandates visible proof of driver qualification. through annually re-issued, publicly displayed credentials, making it easier for passengers, employers, and inspectors to confirm that drivers are fully certified and up to date.
Requires conspicuous display of operating authority and inspection information. both at the carrier's places of business and inside vehicles, promoting transparency and public confidence in the safety and legitimacy of passenger motor carriers.
Excludes certain types of buses from these requirements. , targeting the new rules specifically at contract and common carriers, which could focus resources on passenger services most in need of oversight.
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Who cares
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Show Bus Driver Credentials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.495
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 57–1
Show 7 earlier actions
- Ordered to third reading cal.677
- Reported and committed to rules
- Print number 3450b
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Print number 3450a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Show Bus Driver Credentials
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Ron Kim
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3450--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the displaying of a bus driver's credentials while he or she is on duty and the review of his or her files
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 509-dd to read as follows:
§ 509-dd. Passenger motor carrier information. The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner, shall establish requirements for motor carriers required to obtain approval to operate as a common or contract carrier of passengers by motor vehicle from the commissioner of transportation for purposes of establishing conspicuous display of valid operating authority, inspection information, and driver qualifications at locations where such persons or entities perform contract or common carrier services with such motor vehicles and within any motor vehicle used to provide such services. For the purposes of this section, "motor carriers" shall not include buses referenced in paragraph (a) or (e) of subdivision one of section five hundred nine-a of this article.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 509-m of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 675 of the laws of 1985, is amended and a new subdivision 8 is added to read as follows:
1. At least once [every three years] annually, review the bus driver files of each motor carrier, provided, however, that the commissioner may review such bus driver files at his discretion at any other time during regular business hours.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03968-04-9
S. 3450--B 2
8. Issue new credentials, designed for public display, which shall serve as proof that a bus driver is qualified under sections five hundred nine-b and five hundred nine-dd of this article. Such credentials shall be re-issued annually.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the displaying of a bus driver's credentials while he or she is on duty and the review of his or her files
Purpose or general idea of the bill
To require the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a new credential for individuals qualified to drive a bus under Article 19A of the Vehi- cle and Traffic Law and to require the display of such credential inside of a bus while the bus driver is on duty. This would allow consumers and passengers to verify that their bus driver has met all of the legal requirements to drive the bus and that the bus has been properly inspected and has operating authority.
To require the Department of Motor Vehicles to perform an annual audit of motor carriers subject to VTL Article 19A requirements at least once a year to ensure that motor carriers are in compliance with the law.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill is amended and adds a new 509-p of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require bus driver credentials, inspection status, and DOT operating authority to always be displayed prominently in the front of the bus while the bus driver is on duty. These must be displayed prominently for passengers and consumers to see while boarding, and must be displayed where motor carriers perform contract or common carrier services.
Section 2 of the bill will amend Section 509(m)(1) and add a new subdi- vision 8 to the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require the Department of Motor Vehicles to review a motor carrier's records once every year instead of every three years. The new subdivision 8 added to section 509(m) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law will require the DMV to issue a new credential annually for bus drivers qualified to drive a bus under Article 19A, and such credential should be designed to be publically displayed.
Section 3 of the bill states that the act shall take effect April 1 after being signed into law.
Justification
Private charter buses have dramatically increased service within New York State. Consumers are routinely boarding such buses to visit casinos and other destinations in and out of New York State. There has been an increase in the number of accidents involving such buses, and some of these accidents have involved drivers who were not qualified and/or properly licensed to drive passenger buses. The public display of a credential issued by the DMV would allow consumers to know that their bus driver is properly licensed and qualified. The public display of said credential is similar to the requirements some municipalities have for livery drivers and for-hire taxis to display a similar credential, or for public bus operators who wear a uniform and identifying informa- tion.
Prior legislative history
Revised 5/9/19 2018: S.6921 - Referred to Transportation; A 8726 - Referred to Trans- portation.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect April 1 after being signed into law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.