While the country celebrates National Bus Driver Appreciation Day on April 28th, the Ohio Legislature took it a step further in 2002. Under House Bill 48, the first Monday in May was officially designated as Ohio School Bus Driver Appreciation Day (Section 5.2224 of the Ohio Revised Code). This day is our state’s official time to honor the dedication, patience, and skill of our school bus drivers. From early mornings to late athletic trips, they are the first and last friendly faces our students see each school day.
The professionalism of the many Ohio school bus drivers is why the school bus remains the safest way for students to get to and from school. Every day, Ohio’s 19,000 school bus drivers safely transport over 700,000 students to and from school, while also supporting extra-curricular trips covering more than 170 million miles annually. At the same time, the school bus safety record is unsurpassed; the school bus is safer than walking, biking, or driving in a private vehicle. School buses are designed with "compartmentalization" (closely spaced, energy-absorbing seats) and high visibility, making them the most regulated vehicles on the road.
To qualify as a school bus driver in Ohio, an applicant must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with the proper endorsements and complete the Ohio Pre-Service Training program. This includes 15 hours of classroom training, a minimum of 12 hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-bus instruction. Upon completion of this training, the candidate must pass the CDL skills and road tests to earn their Pre-Service Training Certificate.
In addition, applicants must pass a T-8 physical to ensure they are physically capable of operating the vehicle and managing students, undergo pre-employment drug screening, and pass both FBI and BCI background checks. Once certified, drivers are required to complete four hours of annual in-service training, maintain a clean driving record, and undergo a full recertification process every six years.
The Ohio Legislature designated the 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.”
Please join us Monday, May 4, 2026, in celebrating the men and women who drive Ohio's future!