Can I Find Out If a Bus Driver Had the Right Training and Background Checks?

By Eugene Bruno on September 25, 2026

If you were injured in a bus accident, an attorney can investigate whether the driver had the required license, endorsements, training, and driving qualifications and whether the employer properly screened and monitored that driver.

That investigation can be especially important when an unqualified bus driver may have contributed to a crash. A serious collision can raise questions. Did the employer check the driver’s record? Was the driver properly trained for the vehicle and route? Did earlier warning signs exist?

The experienced El Cajon bus accident lawyers at Eugene Bruno & Associates can help establish whether a bus operator, charter company, school district, or government transit agency shares responsibility for the accident and seek full compensation for your injuries.

What Qualifications Does a California Bus Driver Need?

In California, a bus driver generally needs a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements.

• Class B CDL: Typically required for a single bus with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds.
• Passenger (P) endorsement: Required when operating a vehicle designed to transport passengers.
• School Bus (S) endorsement: Required for drivers operating a school bus. California school bus drivers are also subject to additional certification and training requirements.
• Class C CDL: May apply to certain smaller passenger vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver, depending on the vehicle.

Are Bus Companies Required to Check Their Drivers’ Records?

California has an Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program that allows employers to monitor employee driving records. Employers must enroll drivers who are required to hold a Commercial Class A or B license, as well as certain Commercial Class C drivers, with special endorsements.

The EPN Program can alert employers to matters such as convictions, accidents, license suspensions, and revocations. Employers are also required to obtain a current driving record for prospective drivers covered by the program.

Applicants for school bus driver positions and jobs requiring several other specialized passenger-transportation certificates are subject to an initial criminal background check and ongoing criminal-record review by the California Department of Justice.

When Can an Employer Be Liable for Hiring an Unsafe Driver?

A bus driver’s qualifications and background may become an issue when an employer knew, or if they reasonably should have known, that a driver was unfit for the job and that lack of fitness contributed to someone’s injuries.

California’s civil jury instructions specifically recognize claims involving negligent hiring, supervision, or retention of an employee. Depending on the circumstances, an injured bus accident victim may investigate several theories of responsibility.

• Negligent hiring can involve an employer putting someone behind the wheel despite information that should have raised concerns about whether the person could safely perform the job.
• Negligent retention can arise when problems become apparent after hiring, yet an employer continues allowing the driver to transport passengers.
• Negligent supervision may be relevant when an employer fails to reasonably oversee a driver’s performance or respond appropriately to safety concerns.
• Inadequate training may become important if the driver was not reasonably prepared to perform the duties required for their position.

Evidence That a Bus Driver Was Unqualified

Evidence about a driver’s qualifications, training, driving history, and job performance may help show whether they were qualified to operate the bus safely. Records from the employer, DMV, and other sources may also reveal warning signs that existed before the accident.

An El Cajon bus accident lawyer may seek records such as:

• The driver’s CDL, certificates, and endorsements
• Employment applications and hiring documents
• Driver qualification and training files
• Behind-the-wheel training records
• DMV driving-history information
• Employer Pull Notice records
• Prior accident and safety records
• Disciplinary records and complaints
• Performance evaluations
• Drug and alcohol testing records when applicable
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance documentation
• Internal safety policies and training manuals
• Onboard camera or surveillance footage
• GPS, telematics, and electronic vehicle data
• Dispatch records and driver schedules

What Compensation May Be Available After a Bus Accident?

If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, compensation may be available for the losses resulting from the accident. Depending on the case, damages may include:

• Emergency treatment, hospitalization, and other medical expenses
• Future medical care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages while you are unable to work
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability, scarring, or other long-term consequences
• Other accident-related financial losses

Talk to an Experienced El Cajon Bus Accident Lawyer

If you were seriously injured in a bus crash, you should not have to determine on your own whether the driver was properly licensed, screened, trained, and supervised. Eugene Bruno & Associates can investigate the driver and the organization responsible for putting that person behind the wheel.

Eugene Bruno & Associates has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients. Our firm has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau and over 5,000 satisfied clients. We take a hands-on approach, giving clients the opportunity to discuss their concerns while we investigate the facts and pursue accountability.

Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for a free consultation today.

FAQs About Bus Driver Training and Background Checks in California

Can I find out whether a bus driver was properly trained?

Yes. An attorney can investigate the driver’s licensing, endorsements, training history, employment records, and other qualification documents to determine whether the driver met applicable requirements and received appropriate preparation before the accident.

Can a bus company be liable for hiring an unqualified driver?

Negligent hiring of a bus driver may support a personal injury claim when an employer knew or reasonably should have known that a driver was unfit for the position and the driver’s lack of qualifications contributed to an accident.

What evidence can prove inadequate bus driver training?

Evidence may include training records, personnel files, licensing documents, driving histories, prior complaints, disciplinary records, company safety policies, accident records, onboard video, and electronic vehicle information. An attorney can seek these materials while investigating an inadequate driver training bus accident.

What compensation can I pursue after an accident involving an unqualified bus driver?

An injured person may seek compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.