John Leckie Inc. provides safe and professional bus transportation to school children across northern New Jersey. Based in Hackensack, John Leckie Inc. maintains rigorous safety and training requirements for its drivers.
To become a school bus driver in New Jersey, one must be a licensed driver with endorsements as both a passenger (P) and a school bus (S) operator. The Passenger endorsement is available to individuals who are at least 21 years old, can recognize red, green, and amber as colors, and have 20/40 vision and 70-degree peripheral vision in each eye. The driver may meet vision requirements with or without corrective lenses.
The driver must be physically capable of performing his or her duties and must submit a Medical Examiner's Certificate, both at the receipt of licensure and every two years. This asserts the driver's capabilities. The driver must then successfully complete a background check and fingerprinting, which is also required for the school bus endorsement.
The school bus endorsement further requires that drivers obtain and submit a copy of a Department of Education Criminal History Review Unit Blue Seal Approval letter, which must have a date of issue no more than 90 days prior to the endorsement application date. Those who drive for the Department of Education must also complete a training program that covers all aspects of the job, including accident procedures and student management. Those who transport students with special needs must complete additional training, which includes watching a video that helps drivers interact effectively with their charges.
