School Transport Frequently Asked Questions
Bus safety
What are the drivers’ responsibilities around pre-travel checks (such as a physical checklist- tyres, oils, etc.?)
A full walkaround check typically includes:
- Brakes
- Lights and indicators
- Tyres and wheels
- Mirrors and glass
- Bodywork and doors
- Horn
- Wipers and washers
- Fuel and oil levels
- Emergency equipment (e.g., fire extinguisher, first aid kit)
- Walkarounds are conducted:
- Daily, before the vehicle is used for the first time
- At the start of each driver’s shift, especially if vehicles are shared
- After the vehicle is passed between drivers
- Anytime a defect becomes apparent during use
What is the routine maintenance for buses?
As well as a daily walk-around check by the driver, the following is carried out under periodic maintenance, usually:
- Safety and Vehicle Maintenance Inspections (typically every 4 to 13 weeks, depending on vehicle type, usage, and mileage)
- Recording when each safety and maintenance activity is carried out
- Monitoring the records to ensure the safety and maintenance checks are being completed
How do we know that routine maintenance is being completed?
Operators holding a UK Operator’s Licence (this is something companies must have if they are to trade legally) are subject to ongoing compliance checks by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Traffic Commissioners to ensure they meet legal and safety standards.
These checks can be routine (following each agency’s own guidance) or triggered by concerns such as MOT Test failures, targeted roadside prohibitions, or complaints.
Driver safety
What checks/assurances are carried out around drivers (such as DBSs, etc.)?
To ensure drivers are fit to drive and maintain driver safety, UK school transport operators must meet a combination of legal, medical, and operational standards.
These requirements are set by the DVSA, Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and other regulatory bodies.
For school transport operators in the UK, ensuring driver safety and compliance involves meeting a range of legal, contractual, and industry standards.
Key requirements are:
- Enhanced DBS checks
- Licensing
- Insurance
Route safety
How is the decision made around what size bus is safe to travel on small roads?
The suitability of vehicles on narrow roads will be determined by highway restrictions and regulations, and if necessary, risk assessments conducted by the operator and/or the local authority.
Practicalities
Will it be a Ridlers bus that my child will be getting on to attend School?
Parents/carers whose children are accessing transport for the first time, or whose children are travelling on a route where there has been a change of operator, will receive a letter before the start of terms detailing which operator is running their route.
If parents have not received a letter, then there has been no change to their existing route or operator.
What first aid facilities will be on the bus as standard?
A first aid kit suitable for the size of the vehicle
Is the use of seatbelts required at all times for both school transport and school trips?
If a vehicle of any type is equipped with seatbelts, these must be worn at all times.
How do the drivers know which children are on their bus (e.g. will registers be taken on the bus?)
Drivers have a route print with the name of every child at every stop, but this is not marked in the way a register would be, but drivers do record the number of children getting onto a vehicle.
This is recognised as an area for development, and we will be working with operators to trial an interim paper-based solution in the West Somerset area while we develop a long-term solution that we can implement on all routes across the county.
What assurances does the local authority ask for when commissioning buses?
The Office of the Transport Commissioner is responsible for issuing and withdrawing Operators Licences to companies wishing to trade in the commercial bus/coach market.
When a company has a valid Operator’s Licence, it is assumed that they meet all of the relevant standards and are able to bid for school transport contracts in Somerset.
Section 1.1 from the School Transport Specification (Conditions of Contract):
The Supplier shall comply at all times and in all respects with the requirements of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, the Transport Act 1985, the Road Traffic Act 1988, the Transport Act 2000 and any other Act of Parliament relating to Health and Safety, road traffic, the carriage of passengers by road or to any other matter affecting in any way the operation of the Agreement and the performance of the Contract.
What options do I have around my child getting to school if the bus provided is currently not a viable option?
Should parents decide not to accept the travel assistance put in place for their child, then they can either:
- Make their own arrangements
- Request a Review of the arrangements offered to them at: School travel assistance decision reviews.