Recommended Guidelines for Administering Dexterity Test

The attached recommended guidelines are intended to assist Florida’s public school districts and

charter schools in administering required dexterity testing of school bus operators. District

transportation personnel are encouraged to follow these guidelines.

School bus operator training instructors or other supervisory level employees such as lead drivers

or lead driver/trainers should administer the test. It is recommended that all testing be

administered using a standard bus type and configuration. The buses used should meet the

following criteria:

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Late model 65-passenger capacity or larger

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Non-lift equipped

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Manual or air operated door control

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The operator’s seat should be adjustable for the full range of movement (up, down,

forward, and backward).

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The rear and/or side emergency door buzzer must be operable.

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The emergency door must be capable of being fully opened.

Districts should consider borrowing or purchasing an Instructo Timer (trademark) or similar

testing device to administer Item 3 relating to operation of pedals and reaction time.

Regarding the simulated evacuation (Item 4) in a 65-passenger bus, the operator must exit the

rear door; in a larger transit style bus, the applicant must exit the side door. The operator must

exit the bus without the use of an aid, such as steps, ramps, etc. The school district should use a

cushioned pad on the ground for the operator to exit safely.

For Item 5, each operator should travel a predetermined route. The ideal route would include

the operator demonstrating a student loading or unloading procedure and crossing a railroad

track.

The operator must successfully complete all of the five items on the dexterity test. If an operator

has difficulty passing one or more of the five items, the examiner should retest the particular

item(s) on which the operator performed unsatisfactorily. The operator should be afforded every

opportunity to demonstrate the ability to pass all components of the dexterity test.

It may be desirable to test all operators on Items 1- 4 during the same time period and then

schedule individual appointment times to administer Item 5.

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Recommended Guidelines for Administering Dexterity Test

ITEM NUMBER 1

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Operator climbed and descended the front

steps of a 65-passenger or larger bus

without pausing.

a.

The examiner should be positioned

outside the bus.

b.

Operator, upon signal from examiner,

shall enter the bus without pausing,

climb steps to floor level without

stopping, and descend without pausing.

Examiner should detect and note any

overexertion or shortness of breath by

operator.

ITEM NUMBER 2 (Manual Door)

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Operator opened and closed a manually

operated 65-passenger or larger bus

entrance door without difficulty while

seated in the operator's seat.

Manual Door:

a.

Operator shall sit in driver’s seat

b.

Operator shall adjust seat, if necessary.

c.

Operator shall securely fasten seat

(shoulder) belt.

d.

Examiner shall instruct operator to

open and close the manual entrance

door at least twice.

Examiner should detect and note if

operator must release seat belt in order to

operate a manual door.

Examiner should detect and note if

operator has insufficient strength to fully

open and/or close door.

ITEM NUMBER 2 (Air Door)

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

From a seated position, operator got out of

operator’s seat, operated manual switch for

air door, opened door, and exited bus to

stand on the ground outside the bus.

Air Door:

a.

Operator shall sit in operator’s seat.

b. Operator shall exit operator’s seat and

turn manual switch on air door.

c.

Operator shall open air door manually

and exit bus to stand outside the bus.

Examiner should note if operator could not

get out of seat without overexertion or

delay.

Examiner should detect and note if

operator has insufficient strength to fully

open door and exit to ground.

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Recommended Guidelines for Administering Dexterity Test

ITEM NUMBER 3

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Operator activated the brake pedal with the

right foot in ¾ of a second or less after

removing the right foot from the throttle

pedal.

Option 1:

a.

Operator shall be seated in ordinary

driving position with the right foot on

the throttle pedal.

b.

Examiner will explain to the operator

that upon oral command (BRAKE), the

operator will remove right foot from

throttle pedal and activate brake.

c.

Examiner shall give “BRAKE”

command and operate stop watch.

Option 2:

It is suggested that districts explore the

possibility of using an Instructo Timer or

other comparable testing device.

Examiner shall detect and note test times

that exceed ¾ of a second. (If operator

fails on first attempt, examiner should give

operator two more opportunities.)

b. Use of left foot nullifies this test.

ITEM NUMBER 4

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Operator moved from a seated position in

the driver’s seat of a 65-passenger or

larger bus to the rear of the bus, opened

emergency door, and exited the bus all

within 20 seconds.

A 65-passenger or larger bus can be used.

When using rear engine transit buses, a

side door can be used.

A side door can

only be used when there is no rear exit

door. The same precautions for exiting the

door should be observed.

a.

Operator shall be seated behind

steering wheel with both hands on the

wheel.

b.

Operator shall reposition driver’s seat,

if necessary.

c.

Operator shall securely fasten seat belt.

d.

Examiner shall give “

EVACUATE

”

command and simultaneously start stop

watch.

It is recommended that two adults be

positioned outside on both sides of the

emergency door to assist the operator if

necessary. Also, tumbling mats or similar

padding should be placed on the ground

under the emergency door.

Examiner should stand between the right

modesty panel and right front seat

completely out of the way of the operator.

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Recommended Guidelines for Administering Dexterity Test

ITEM NUMBER 4

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Continued

e.

Operator shall release seat belt, quickly

move to rear of bus, open emergency

door, and exit to the ground.

Examiner should ensure the safety of the

operator by having the operator sit and

slide out the door with a pad located on the

ground.

ITEM NUMBER 5

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW COMMENTS

Operator operated the driving controls

using both arms simultaneously and

quickly.

a.

NOTE:

This item is to be completed

behind the wheel of a moving bus.

b.

Examiner shall instruct the operator to

activate various accessory switches

while driving.

For example, operator

should be instructed to turn on and off

windshield wipers, activate the eight-

light system master switch, and

simulate a student pick-up.

Operator wore seat belt at all times.

Examiner’s route should be pre-determined

and followed each time an operator is

tested.