Driver education - Bus driver training

Bus drivers have a significant role to play in protecting the safety of their passengers. Behind-the-wheel training, driver instruction and continued education are essential to keeping students safe. Many educational resources are available online to assist schools. Local in-service classes are another way to provide continued education and professional development for drivers.

Start with the basics by establishing a universal crossing signal that notifies children when it’s safe to cross the street. That signal should be known and used by all bus drivers at your school, and be shared with all students.

• School Bus Safety: Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses. This guideline recommends each preschool age child transportation in a school bus always be transported in a properly secured Child Safety Restraint System (CSRS).
• Best Practices Guide: Reducing the Illegal Passing of School Buses, NHTSA
• Backing School Buses
• Planning School Sites for School Bus Safety
• Standees on the School Bus
• Recommended Emergency Plans for School Bus Fleets
• Instructor’s Guide to School Bus Driver Training (Produced by the Washington State Pupil Transportation. May serve as a model that can be adapted by local Iowa schools.)
• Instructor’s Handbook: Behind the Wheel Training Guide, Washington State
• Iowa Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 10 School Buses
• See additional resources under the “Schools and bus drivers” section of this website.