2011 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition - Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE THE DATES AND WHERE WILL IT BE HELD?
The 2011 Competition will beheld in Baltimore, MD on July 16 - 17, 2011.
WHAT HOTEL IS BEING USED?
The hotel being used for both the indoor competition events and the NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention will be the Renaissance Harborfront. The Orientation and Awards function will be held at the Renaissance Harborfront. Hotel registration information will be provided to you when you have been accepted to compete.
WHERE WILL THE DRIVING COMPETITION BE HELD?
The location of the competition is to be determined.
WHERE WILL THE TEST BE HELD?
The written test will be held at the Renaissance Harborfront in Baltimore, MD.
WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE AT THE COMPETITION SITE?
You must be at the competition site by 7 AM for the site orientation. The driving tests will begin at 8 AM.
HOW WILL I GET TO AND FROM THE COMPETITION?
Shuttle buses will be provided to the driving competition site. Schedules will be provided in your driver packet at registration and at the orientation session.
CAN MY FAMILY/FRIENDS ATTEND THE COMPETITION AND AWARDS RECEPTION AND IS THERE A FEE?
You are welcome to have as many people as you want attend the competition and Awards reception/presentation. There is no charge to attend the competition. They will be welcome to ride the shuttle buses.
As for the Awards Recognition/presentation, contestants attend free of charge, one guest ticket will be provided complimentary to each contestant and additional tickets can be purchased with in advance or the NSTA registration desk.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE?
In order to be eligible to compete, your must have competed in a state or province event during this school year. You must have placed in the top ten of the competition class that you will drive in the International Competition. One contestant from the public and private are eligible to participate if they placed in the top 10 of the class of competition. For complete details on eligibility, see the entrance requirements for the competition.
IS THERE A FEE TO COMPETE?
Yes. The registration fee is $50.00 to be paid when you are accepted for competition.
WHAT DAY AND TIME IS THE REGISTRATION FOR THE 2007 INTERNATIONAL SAFETY COMPETITION?
Registration is on Saturday, July 16th and will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Harborfront.
HOW WILL MY CONTESTANT NUMBER BE DETERMINED?
Your contestant number will be provided to you at the time of registration. This is the order in which you will drive in the competition.
WHAT SHOULD I STUDY FOR THE WRITTEN TEST?
It is recommended that you study the American Red Cross Standard First Aid materials, the 2005 National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, the Commercial Driver License Manual, the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and any other documents that establish the best practices in pupil transportation.
WHAT CLASSES OF COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?
School Bus Conventional Type Vehicle (65 passenger or larger)
School Bus Transit Type Vehicle (65 passenger or larger)
School Bus Small Type Vehicle (19-35 passenger)
HOW MANY DRIVERS COMPETE?
The total number of contestants, as well as the number of contestants in each category, varies from year to year. We expect about 100 contestants this year.
WILL I BE ALLOWED TO WALK AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE COURSE AND OBSERVE OTHERS DRIVING BEFORE I COMPETE?
No. You will have to remain in the designated contestants' area until after you have competed.
CAN I PLACE AND OBJECT, SUCH AS A RULER OR SMALL CONE ON THE GROUND TO ADJUST MY MIRRORS?
Yes, however, it must be completed within the 6 minutes allowed for preparation.
WILL I BE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE ON THE EQUIPMENT OR COURSE PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL COMPETITION?
No. All contestants will have the same opportunity to become familiar with the bus at the time of preparation. No contestant will be allowed on or around the contestant buses, prior to being called to drive.
WILL WE DO AN ACTUAL SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION?
No. As a part of the written test, you will be given a written vehicle inspection test.
CAN MY FAMILY OR COACH ATTEND THE ORIENTATION AND TESTING SESSION?
Yes, however, they will only be allowed to sit in the gallery area of the room. Due the size of the testing room, the seating is available on a first -come, first-served basis. No one can communicate with you while testing is in progress.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT THE COMPETITION SITE?
Yes, contestants will be provided lunch at the site and bottled water will be provided during the day. Food services for spectators may be available at a cost, but all are welcome to bring their own lunch and drinks.
WILL I BE GIVEN COPIES OF MY SCORE SHEET AND TEST AFTER THE COMPETITION IS OVER?
No. The score sheets and tests are secured after competition. All scores are final at the close of the competition. You will be provided a summary of your individual scores at the close of the awards ceremony. A summary and a ranking of score sheet will be provided on the website after the competition is complete.
WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?
The winners of the various categories will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening, July 17th at the Renaissance Harborfront. Recognition plaques will be given to each winner.
WHAT IF MY STATE DOES NOT HAVE COMPETITON?
In order to compete in the SBDISC you must have participated in and qualified under the rules either in a state or provincial competition or a regional competition that involves more than one state.
HOW DO I GET A COMPETITION STARTED IN MY STATE?
You should contact your state agency for pupil transportation or a state Pupil Transportation or Contractor's Association in your state and express an interest in having competition for your state.
They can receive information and technical assistance from NSTA. If you have difficulty in locating one of these resources in your state, contact NSTA and they will assist in locating the proper entity.