Two States Lose Bid to Keep 17-Year-Old School Bus Drivers

COLUMBIA, S.C. —  The U.S. Labor Department has rejected arguments from South Carolina and North Carolina officials who are trying to keep 17-year-old school bus drivers on the road through the end of the school year.

South Carolina Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Wednesday repeated his state’s plea to allow the drivers to remain behind the wheel.

Representatives of each state argued unsuccessfully for a stay of the department’s revocation of waivers, effective April 1, that had allowed the use of the younger drivers if they had clean driving records, Labor Department spokeswoman Linda Tavlin said.

The two states had obtained waivers last year of a federal law prohibiting school bus drivers under age 18, but the department revoked the waivers in late February.

Campbell, in a letter to Labor Secretary Ann Dore McLaughlin, said he understands the department’s decision and does not intend to seek a waiver for next year.