More than 18,000 school bus drivers in Ohio transport more than 1.2 million students over 170 million miles each year. At the same time, the school bus safety record is unsurpassed, greatly exceeding that of automobiles, airlines, and even passenger trains.

To qualify to become a school bus driver in Ohio, an applicant must complete pre-service training and certified on-bus training, pass a driving evaluation and obtain a commercial driver license. In addition, drivers must pass pre-employment background and drug screenings. Drivers are required to be recertified every six years.

The Ohio Legislature designated the first Monday in May as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day to “increase public recognition of the important function that school bus drivers serve in safely transporting children to and from school.”

6:00 AM