School Bus Drivers Test Road Skills In Competition

ARDEN HILLS  (AP) - Fifty Minnesota school bus drivers are putting their skills to the test - in hopes of advancing to a national competition this summer.

The drivers are participating in a statewide competition on Saturday in Arden Hills. As part of the course, they'll show a panel of judges how they manage turns, railroad crossings, student stops and more. They'll also participate in a knowledge exam.

In order to qualify for the School Bus Safety 'Road-eo', the drivers had to drive a route for at least 60 days of the school year, and be collision-free for the school year.

The judges will include state patrol troopers and representatives from the state Driver and Vehicle Services. The top four drivers will advance to the national competition in July in Tulsa, Okla.