(Area) As schools wrap up the first week of classes, school safety is always at the forefront, and school bus safety is always a priority. In Iowa, school buses must be inspected twice each school year to ensure they meet state safety standards. These inspections are conducted by the Iowa Department of Education with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District #4 Public Information Director Shelby McCreedy says the transportation directors of each Iowa school district are tasked with completing their own inspection before the Iowa Department of Education inspectors arrive.
Failure to comply with inspection requirements can result in fines and operational restrictions.
Additionally, school bus drivers in Iowa must complete specific training and certification to ensure the safety of students transported to and from school.
Drivers must complete at least 15 hours of classroom instruction covering topics such as bus safety, student management, emergency procedures, and Iowa school bus regulations.
They must also pass a written examination on school bus operations and safety protocols.
In addition, drivers are required to complete at least six hours of behind-the-wheel training under the supervision of a certified instructor. Drivers must then pass a skills test that evaluates their ability to operate a school bus safely and effectively.
School bus drivers must also obtain a valid commercial driver’s license, or CDL, with a school bus endorsement. That requires additional written and skills tests specific to operating a school bus.
These requirements are designed to ensure that Iowa school bus drivers are properly trained and certified to transport students safely while complying with state regulations.
