ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) will host its inaugural Driver Safety Competition on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Surf Stadium in Atlantic City.
The event will take place during the 2025 Fall Annual Meeting & Marketplace, scheduled for Sept. 23–25.
More than a showcase of driving skill, the competition highlights GNEMA’s commitment to safety within the motorcoach industry.
The association’s Board of Directors played a key role in launching the competition, working closely with GNEMA’s Safety & Risk Control Committee and Executive Director Pattie Cowley to develop the event plan.
“The GNEMA Driver Safety Competition is a celebration of the skill, dedication and professionalism that define our industry’s finest drivers,” said GNEMA Vice President Michelle Petelicki, president of Panorama Tours. “It reinforces the critical role they play in keeping our roads and passengers safe every day.”
Event highlights:
- Fifteen drivers will compete with the best drivers in the region.
- The competition includes eight events, an on-board evaluation, and a written test.
- Qualify for the next Annual UMA International Driver’s Competition.
Driver eligibility requirements:
- Must hold a valid commercial driver’s license with passenger endorsement at the time of application and the event.
- Must have a current medical certificate.
- No driver’s license suspension for any reason in the past 24 months.
- Must be employed by a GNEMA operator member at the time of application.
- Must be driving a bus or motorcoach as their primary occupation.
- No out-of-service violations (e.g., hours-of-service) in the past 24 months.
- Must have at least two years of accident-free (preventable) driving experience.
GNEMA encourages members to get involved as competitors, volunteers or sponsors. For more information, visit www.gnema.org or call 908-750-4538.
