Moving Kids Safely

A guide to hiring charter transportation

Is your school up to speed on safety?

Nothing is more rewarding than providing students with the opportunity to travel, be it for a field trip, a recreational outing, a school event or another activity. Thousands of students are on the road and most of the time, they travel safely. But ask yourself one simple question: What would happen if there were an accident?

What if your charter bus skidded off the highway? What if your driver fell asleep? These types of accidents occur. Public outcry is immediate and media coverage is extensive. We can help you reduce the risk to your students through more careful selection of bus companies. And while we understand that price is an important consideration – it is second to the safety of your students.

Exactly how safe is your bus company?

Whether you’re relying on an existing vendor or choosing a new charter transportation company, it’s a good idea to make sure their safety record is satisfactory and compliant with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) keeps records on every bus company that operates in more than one state. To access this information, all you need is the company’s U.S. DOT number. With it, you can use our “SAFER SYSTEM” at www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. There, you’ll find an up-to-date history on the company including:

• Whether the company has authority to transport passengers in interstate commerce
  
• The company’s accident history, safety rating and insurance status
  
• Performance during roadside inspections
  
• Whether the company has been examined by a law enforcement or regulatory professional

Beware that some bus companies offering interstate service have not registered for a U.S. DOT number as required. If you are offered interstate service from a bus company without a U.S. DOT number, report it to your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) field office. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this brochure. A FMCSA staff person can also provide you with guidance and assistance in hiring a safe bus company.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

To hire a safe bus company, you need information. It is important to know if your driver is qualified, well-rested and drug- and alcohol-free. You also need to know if the bus has been properly maintained and is in good operating condition. Make sure any company you choose is willing to answer questions about safety and security:

• What is the company’s U.S. DOT number?
  
• Does your driver have a current Commercial Driver’s License with a “passenger” endorsement?
  
• Does your driver have a valid medical certificate?
  
• Does the company have a driver drug- and alcohol-testing program that complies with U.S. DOT regulations?
  
• Will your trip be completed within the legal limit of 10 driving hours? If not, will a second driver or overnight rest stop be necessary to perform the trip legally?
  
• Are the buses inspected annually? By whom?
  
• Does the bus company have the required $5 million of public liability insurance?
  
• Does the bus company subcontract for equipment and/or drivers? If so, what is the name of the second bus company and its U.S. DOT number?
  
• What company procedures exist for roadside emergencies and breakdowns?

Asking questions is a great start, but it’s not enough. To make sure your trip is safe, you need to enlist the help of someone who understands the answers. The more you know, the better your chances of preventing an accident.

Not all bus companies are equally safe.

It’s important to know that there are many federal regulations in place – from the number of hours a driver can operate a bus to medical standards for bus drivers – because not all bus companies are safe. As part of the U.S. DOT, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the “Truck and Bus Safety Agency.” We establish and enforce minimum standards that interstate bus companies must follow for their equipment and their drivers. We also fund states to perform safety inspections on buses.

If you experience an unsafe trip in which students are injured or, you believe, endangered by the actions of the bus company, call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).

Start safe. Stay safe.

All it takes to keep kids safe is a little extra effort. Simply follow the guidelines listed here, and call your local FMCSA field office. We’ll gladly assist you with any questions about the safety record of a bus company. All of the phone numbers and web addresses you need are listed in this brochure. With your help, we can make sure that safety is everybody’s highest priority.

FMCSA and safety-related websites

Visit the FMCSA website for additional safety
information and to check on a company’s safety
rating by using the SAFER System.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov

FMCSA SAFER System
http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov

Other bus safety-related websites

American Bus Association (ABA)
http://www.buses.org

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
http://www.cvsa.org

National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)
http://www.napt.org

National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS)
http://www.nasdpts.org

National School Transportation Association
http://www.schooltrans.com

North Carolina Safety Organization
http://www.ncbussafety.org

Pupil Transportation Safety Institute (PTSI)
http://www.ptsi.org

School Bus Information Council
http://www.schoolbusinfo.org

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)
http://www.uma.org

FMCSA field offices

Check a bus company's safety record

Visit www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov to check a bus company's safety record.

Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration