Start your engines!

The Iowa Department of Education is calling all Iowa school bus technicians to register by April 1 for the "Best of the Best" competition to be held on April 17 in Des Moines.

The "Best of the Best" competition recognizes school bus technicians for their contribution to safe school transportation in Iowa. The competition includes a written knowledge exam, which tests technicians in all areas of school bus maintenance/repair. There's also a "hands-on" competition, during which technicians must diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair various mechanical components found on school buses.

This competition is being sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association, the Iowa Association of School Boards, and the school bus dealers in Iowa.

The winner will go on to compete at the national School Bus Technician's Training and Skills Competition, sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation and hosted by Jasper Engines & Transmissions.

The national competition will be held Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 in Jasper, Indiana.

For more information and registration information, visit

http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1240&Itemid=2125.