FAQs

Q. What does the school bus represent?

The yellow school bus is an American icon. It represents safety and the traditions of our schools and education system. In New York State, over 2.3 million children ride a yellow school bus to and from school each day. We believe that the school bus ride should be a safe and secure ride. We believe that the school bus should be appropriately equipped and carefully maintained for safety. We believe that every school bus driver should be fully qualified, licensed and trained to perform his or her duties. We believe our role as school transportation professionals is to ensure that all elements of a safe and efficient school bus ride are met at all times.

Q. How many school buses are in my state alone?

In New York State alone, there are more than 50,000 school buses in our state and there are approximately 54,000 school bus drivers in New York.  

Q. How many students ride yellow school buses in New York?

School buses in New York State transport over 2.3 million children to and from school each day.  All of our student passengers combined will get onto or down from a school bus 1,656,000,000 times in the average school year.

Q. What certifications and training do school bus drivers have?

School bus drivers are all licensed with Commercial Drivers Licenses (as authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admininstration) which requires extensive knowledge and training.  They are further required to hold a “passenger endorsement” and further still to hold a “student” endorsement.  This means that not all CDL drivers can be school bus drivers — rather, being a school bus driver requires a whole separate range of skills. 

In New York, once an individual is properly licensed, he or she is trained through a long-standing system of School Bus Driver Instructors who are prepared by State Education Department certified Master Instructors for such instruction and preparation. They must complete a Pre-Service training program and a 30-hour Basic driver training course sanctioned by the Education Department.  All school bus drivers must also participate in two 2-hour refresher courses at specific times each year.  They are also subjected to criminal background checks, annual medical physicals,  random drug and alcohol testing and biennial physical performance testing.

Q. How safe are school buses?

School buses are purchased in accordance with extensive specifications driven by state law and regulation. These specifications are contained in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  The FMVSS standards include the iconic ‘chrome yellow’ coloring of the school bus as well as the lighting and signage required on the bus, safety features, seating configurations, and more.  

School buses are inspected rigorously twice annually by inspectors at the State Department of Transportation for over 160 safety factors and are inspected on a pre-trip and post-trip basis every day by school bus drivers and technicians.