Student Transportation

In 1960, the first “Rules and Regulations for Arizona School Bus Operation: Standards and Training Procedures for Drivers” were included in the Arizona Administrative Code. Thus, the Pupil Transportation Program came into existence as part of the Arizona Highway Department's Traffic Safety Division. Three staff members maintained records on approximately 500 school bus drivers, and two employees were responsible for training drivers statewide. By 1973, there were over 2,000 certified school bus drivers, and the Pupil Transportation Program transferred to the Office of Highway Safety.

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Mission Statement

The mission of the DPS Student Transportation Unit is to ensure proper certification of school bus drivers and school bus driver instructors, to establish and maintain a safety and training program, and to continually strive to improve the safety and efficiency of student transportation in the State of Arizona.

In 1979, the program was transferred to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, where it remained until 1993 when it transferred to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and changed its name to the Student Transportation Unit. At that time, there were approximately 5,000 certified school bus drivers and 250 certified instructors. By January 1999, the certified drivers increased to 8,100 and the instructors to 500, a 62% increase in drivers and a 100% increase in instructors in six years.

In 1996, a school bus driver database was completed. The program allows immediate access to driver, instructor, accident, and other records in a matter of seconds without having to rely on paper files and time-consuming research. However, data entry is still required to keep the database current. In 2000, three additional positions were allocated to the Unit, bringing the staff to six members.

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Student Transportation Unit

PO Box 6638, MD 3150
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638

Email: [email protected]

PHONE: (602)223-2646
FAX: (602)223-2923

In 1960, one employee was assigned as a statewide trainer. A year later, a second trainer was added to the Pupil Transportation Unit. By 1964, personnel from the Traffic Safety Division and the Arizona Highway Patrol held five-day new driver training and two-day refresher training clinics each summer. In 1971, a mobile unit traveled throughout the state, training drivers at their place of employment, replacing the summer clinics, and saving the school districts approximately $100,000 during that year. Between 1978 and 1982, school bus driver training was completely transformed.

In 1982, using federal funds, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety began training school district personnel to conduct their own training. Funding ended one year later. However, school districts continued to be responsible for school bus driver training. The school district instructors were trained and certified by Motor Vehicle Division personnel. The 1996 Arizona Administrative Code (Minimum Standards for School Bus Drivers) made several significant changes. One of them was the added requirement of testing and certifying behind-the-wheel instructors. This requirement was estimated to result in a minimum of 1,200 additional certified instructors by 2001.

- School bus driver certifications (approximately 2,300 per year)

- Annual renewal of school bus driver certifications (approximately 7,000 each year).

- Administer / maintain school bus driver safety and training program.

- School bus driver instructor training and certifications (approximately 120 each year).

- Administrative Hearing Preparation and Proceedings.

- Violation Notices for vehicles illegally passing school buses.

- Maintain resource Library.

- Customer service.

- Compliance reviews (to ensure compliance with state and federal laws/rules).

- Complaint investigation (often requiring an on-site visit).

- School bus driver training.

- School bus emergency evacuation drills.

- School bus accident review.

- Review / maintain accident reports.

- Gather / summarize accident statistics.

- Drafting legislation and administrative rules.

- Federal grant writing and compliance.

- Liaison between DPS Student Transportation and in-state school districts (approximately 800 including charter schools), vendors, contract providers, and professional organizations for pupil transportation.

- Liaison between DPS Student Transportation and out-of-state professional organizations for pupil transportation and manufacturers.

- School bus safety workshops for school bus drivers and students.

- Statewide school bus safety public awareness program.

If a school bus is involved in an accident:

1. Report the accident to the local law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the collision occurred.
2. The school bus driver shall report the accident to the employer immediately following any accident involving a school bus.
3. Immediately upon receiving notification of any accident involving a school bus, the employer shall notify DPS of the accident by telephone. This can be done by calling Student Transportation at (602)223-2646 as soon as possible. Call the DPS Duty office at (602)223-2212 during non-business hours and holidays.
4. The employer shall submit written verification of the accident to DPS using the School Bus Accident / Incident Report form within 72 hours of the telephone notification.

In incidents where a violation of the Minimum Standards for School Buses and School Bus Drivers or state statutes caused injury to or threatened the health, safety, or welfare of a passenger:

1. Report any emergency to the nearest law enforcement agency.
2. Immediately upon receiving notification of any incident involving a school bus, the employer shall notify DPS of the incident by telephone. This can be done by calling Student Transportation at (602)223-2646 as soon as possible. Call the DPS Duty office at (602)223-2212 during non-business hours and holidays.
3. The employer shall submit a written report of the violation to DPS using the School Bus Accident/Incident Report form within 72 hours of the telephone notification.

Student Transportation Advisory Council Update

The Arizona Student Transportation Advisory Council is currently accepting applications for new representatives. Per Arizona Revised Statutes 28-3053, the council advises the Department of Public Safety in developing rules, recommending driver curricula for school bus driver safety or training, and advises or consults with the department on other matters about student transportation. Interested individuals can submit their applications to the Arizona Boards and Commissions by visiting https://bc.azgovernor.gov/bc/form/boards-and-commissions-application

Advisory Council Positions:
1. One member representing the Department of Public Safety.

2. One member representing the state board of education.

3. One member representing the state board for charter schools.

4. One member from a school district with a student count of less than six hundred in a county with a population of less than three hundred thousand persons.

5. One member from a school district with a student count of six hundred or more but less than three thousand.

6. One member from a school district with a student count of more than three thousand.

7. One member representing transportation administrators.

8. One member is a certified school bus driver or bus driver instructor.

9. One member representing a private sector school bus service provider or a private sector student transportation service provider.

10. One member from a charter school with a student count of less than six hundred.

11. One member from a charter school with a student count of more than six hundred.

12. One member with expertise in electric vehicle fleets, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, or charging management services.

13. Two public members.