Use of Charter Buses to Transport Students
Procedure 15
These procedures and recommendations are based on findings and of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA).
Objective:
Establish procedures for the selection of charter companies providing transportation to public school students.
Comments:
It is always desirable to use a federally approved school bus when transporting students. School buses are designed to
extremely high safety standards and provide maximum protection for occupants.
The decision to use a chartered bus for transportation is a local school issue. This decision should be reviewed and
approved by the Assistant Superintendent at the attendance center.
Reasons to use a charter bus:
Distance traveled
Time restrictions
Limited storage capacity of school buses to carry equipment
Availability of restrooms on charter buses
Comfort
Checklist before selecting a charter company:
Assistant Superintendent is aware and approves trip
Contact District Services to verify our insurance carrier will cover the trip. This may require several days.
Verify the following items with the charter company
Does the company have a USDOT safety rating and date of last review
Is insurance for the carrier current and meet minimum standards of coverage ($5 million of public liability
insurance)
The company’s crash history
Does the driver have a current CDL license with passenger endorsement
Does the driver have a current medical certificate
Are the buses routinely inspected and by whom
Are procedures in place for emergency roadside emergencies and breakdowns
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