SCHOOL BUS FACTS

CONTACT INFORMATION

What type of driver license is necessary to drive a school bus? How often must my school bus be inspected? What is an "approved school bus"? Who can I contact to arrange a school bus inspection? At what age can I drive a school bus? Do the federal safety standards apply to school buses? How many types of school buses are approved in NH? Can a school bus be used for purposes other than the transportation of students? Are school buses required to stop at railroad crossings? What is the distance necessary to stop for a school bus using alternating red lights?

What type of driver license is necessary to drive a school bus? A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement, if carrying 16 or more passengers. A driver license, for all other approved school bus drivers. All school bus drivers require a school bus driver’s certificate. Saf-C 1304.01

How often must my school bus be inspected? Twice a year. Saf-C 1307.03

What is an "approved school bus"? A motor vehicle used for the: Transportation of students from home to school, school to home. Transportation of students to school related activities. The school bus must meet NH inspection requirements. Saf-C 1302.01 RSA 259:96

Who can I contact to arrange a school bus inspection? Pupil Transportation Supervisor Division of Motor Vehicles 23 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03035 (603) 271-1999 or (603) 223-8778

At what age can I drive a school bus? 18 years of age with 2 years of driving experience. 21 years of age, if an interstate school bus driver. Saf-C 1304.01

Do the federal safety standards apply to school buses? Yes. Saf-C 1303.01

How many classifications of school buses are approved in NH? Five, as follows: Multi-purpose. A. B. C. D. Saf-C 1302.12

Can a school bus be used for purposes other than the transportation of students? Yes, as long as the "School Bus" markings are covered or concealed. RSA 265-56

Are school buses required to stop at railroad crossings? Yes, with or without students on board. Saf-C 1306.09 and Saf-C 1316.09

What is the distance necessary to stop for a school bus using alternating red lights? Within 25 feet of the bus. RSA 265-54

School Bus Facts

• More than 2,200 NH citizens have successfully passed training and testing exercises to be licensed to drive school buses.
• More than 2,600 NH inspected school buses travel over 11 million miles each year transporting an estimated 169,000 New Hampshire pupils from home to school and from school to home daily. Additional miles are accumulated on school related activities such as field trips and athletic events.
• Transportation in a school bus to and from school is said to be as much as 11 times safer than the transportation of students in a private passenger car.

Contact Information

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
400 SEVENTH STREET S.W.
WASHINGTON DC 20590
www.nhtsa.dot.gov

NH HIGHWAY SAFETY AGENCY
117 MANCHESTER STREET
CONCORD NH 03301
(603) 271-2131
http://www.nh.gov/hsafety/