Minnesota Administrative Rules

8840.5910 DRIVER AND ATTENDANT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

Subpart 1.

Training required before driving.

Before providing special transportation service, each driver and attendant must receive:

A.

passenger assistance training described in subpart 5, items E to I;

B.

instruction in operating the radio, cellular telephone, or other means of two-way communication required by part 8840.5925, subpart 1, item C;

C.

instruction and demonstration in operating the vehicle ramp, wheelchair lift, and wheelchair securement devices, if the vehicle is so equipped;

D.

instruction in what to do and whom to call in a medical emergency or an accident, including training in the use of the fire extinguisher and use of emergency triangles under part 8840.5950, subpart 4; and

E.

except for attendants, instruction in conducting the daily vehicle inspection required by part 8840.5950, subpart 1, item B.

Subp. 2.

Additional training required.

Within 45 days after beginning to provide special transportation service, each driver and attendant shall complete:

A.

four hours of training in first aid, except that this requirement does not apply to a person who possesses a current first aid certificate taught by a certified instructor using a certified course under part 8840.6200 or who possesses a current certificate issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 144E.27;

B.

except for attendants, four hours of classroom instruction in defensive driving;

C.

abuse-prevention training described in subpart 8; and

D.

the passenger assistance training described in subpart 5 or 6.

Subp. 3.

[Repealed, 28 SR 1578]

Subp. 4.

First aid training.

Each driver and attendant shall successfully complete a first aid or emergency-care course of not less than four hours that must include instruction in:

A.

preliminary treatment of shock;

B.

control of bleeding;

C.

airway management;

D.

prevention and treatment of frostbite and exposure to cold;

E.

prevention and treatment of heat exhaustion and heat stroke;

F.

recognition of sudden illness such as stroke, heart attack, convulsions, fainting, and seizures; and

G.

when and how to summon emergency medical assistance services.

Subp. 5.

Passenger assistance training.

Each driver and attendant who transports passengers seated in wheelchairs or who assists passengers in transferring from a wheelchair to a vehicle shall complete a minimum of eight hours training in the techniques of transporting and assisting the elderly and passengers with physical disabilities. Passenger assistance training must include:

A.

discussion of functional limitations of the aging process and major disabling conditions and how those conditions affect mobility and communication, including:

(1)

speech limitations;

(2)

balance limitations;

(3)

limb loss and muscle control loss;

(4)

breathing disorders;

(5)

skin sensation loss;

(6)

vision impairments and hearing loss;

(7)

emotional disorders and mental impairments;

(8)

paralysis;

(9)

endurance level diminishment; and

(10)

temperature control loss;

B.

description of the uses, functions, and limitations of common assistive devices used by the elderly and persons with disabilities and the proper means of providing assistance to persons using those devices;

C.

discussion of attitudes toward the elderly and persons with disabilities, which must include the participation of the elderly and persons with disabilities;

D.

discussion of the effect of mobility impairments, medication, and past experiences on passengers and how to behave in a sensitive and professional manner;

E.

discussion, demonstration, and practice by students in methods of:

(1)

handling wheelchairs, including moving wheelchairs up and down steps, curbs, ramps, and lifts;

(2)

folding and unfolding manual wheelchairs; and

(3)

handling wheelchairs on uneven, wet, or icy surfaces;

F.

if the service transfers passengers from a wheelchair to a seat, discussion and demonstration of moving, lifting, and transferring passengers, including assisted and unassisted transfers, two-handed transfers, and standing transfers;

G.

instruction in guidelines for appropriate handling of a vehicle transporting persons with disabilities that includes instruction that passengers may have balance or mobility problems and may not be able to grab railings or brace themselves for sudden stops, sharp turns, or other uneven or abrupt maneuvers;

H.

discussion and demonstration of placing the assistive devices, operating the lifts, ramps, and wheelchair securement devices, and using them properly if the vehicle to be operated is equipped with them;

I.

discussion and demonstration of the assistance to be offered to ambulatory passengers, including assistance for standing, sitting, and going up and down steps and curbs; and

J.

discussion of common assistive devices including:

(1)

manual and electric wheelchairs and electric scooters;

(2)

canes;

(3)

crutches;

(4)

walkers;

(5)

leg braces, prostheses, and slings; and

(6)

guide dogs.

Subp. 6.

Ambulatory passenger assistance training.

Each driver and attendant who transports the elderly and passengers with physical disabilities who do not use stretchers or wheelchairs, or who transports passengers who do not transfer from a wheelchair to a seat in the vehicle, shall complete a minimum of four hours training in the techniques of transporting and assisting the elderly and passengers with physical disabilities. The training must include instruction in the elements listed in subpart 5, items A to D, G, I, and J.

Subp. 7.

[Repealed, 28 SR 1578]

Subp. 8.

Abuse-prevention training.

Each driver and attendant shall successfully complete an abuse-prevention training course of not less than four hours that must include instruction in statutes, rules, and applicable procedures relating to:

A.

sexual abuse or misconduct;

B.

the protection of vulnerable adults;

C.

the maltreatment of minors;

D.

the appropriate response to victims of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or sexual misconduct; and

E.

the reporting requirements for incidents of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or misconduct.

Subp. 9.

Refresher course and continuing education.

Each driver and attendant shall successfully complete within three years from the date the driver or attendant completed the training required in subpart 2, and every three-year period thereafter:

A.

a four-hour refresher first aid or emergency-care course, which must include instruction in the elements listed in subpart 4;

B.

except for attendants, two hours of classroom instruction in defensive driving;

C.

two hours of training in issues relating to passenger assistance and abuse prevention; and

D.

seven hours of continuing education related to providing special transportation service.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 174.30

History:

17 SR 634; 28 SR 1578; L 2005 c 56 s 2; L 2013 c 62 s 32

Published Electronically:

August 1, 2013