HB 2825

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, shall develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses. Requires all applicants to operate a first division vehicle to: (1) meet specified requirements; and (2) complete the classroom course or refresher course or complete a training course administered by the service provider in which the applicant will be employed by that covers safe driving practices with a first division vehicle, special considerations for transporting students with disabilities, emergency preparedness, and safe pick-up and drop-off procedures. Provides that an applicant to operate a first division vehicle is exempt from the requirement of demonstrating physical fitness to operate a school bus by submitting the results of a medical examination if the applicant will be providing transportation services with a provider that uses a telematics system that sends, receives, and stores telemetry data. Provides that a vehicle subject to a safety test prior to an application for a license shall be subject to tests, in the case of first division vehicles, at least every 12 months, or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2025.