State Highway Patrol

The Ohio State Highway Patrol establishes the construction standards for school buses in Ohio. For your convenience, the following documents are posted from our partners at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP). 

School buses are required to be inspected twice a year to ensure the bus is operating properly. Every bus used to transport students is inspected before the beginning of the school year and once randomly during the year. Since 2019, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has performed more than 200,000 inspections.
 

Ohio State Highway Patrol Documents and resources 

  • The School Bus Inspections Manual and any manual updates, which may include new approved options, and new standard equipment requirements when ORC/OAC changes take place, may be downloaded here or from their webpage. 
  • School Bus ID Cancellation Form (BMV 4175) This form is used to cancel a school bus registration when the bus is no longer in use by the owner. When selling or disposing a school bus, you must: 
    • Remove all stop arms.
    • Remove eight way lighting. 
    • Remove the identification number(s) from the front and back of the vehicle.
    • Remove the annual inspection sticker.
    • Cover the name of the school district or bus owner on both sides of the bus.
  • Application for Private Pupil Transportation License (HP-32F) This form is for private companies or individuals (not public school districts) who intend on providing yellow school bus transportation in Ohio. 
  • Application for Private Pupil Transportation License Renewal (HP-32G) This form is for private companies or individuals (not public school districts) who intend on providing yellow school bus transportation in Ohio and are seeking annual renewal.
  • School Bus Safety

Questions?  Please contact OSHP direct: (614) 466-3682
 


SCHOOL BUSes by TYPE

  • Type A School Bus is a conversion bus constructed utilizing a cutaway front- section vehicle with a left side driver’s door. This definition shall include two classifications: Type A-I, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,500 pounds or less; and Type A-II, with a GVWR of 14,501 pounds or more.
  • Type B School Bus is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis, with GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. Part of the engine is beneath and/or behind the windshield and beside the driver’s seat. The entrance door is behind the front wheels.
  • Type C School Bus is a body installed upon a flat-back cowl chassis with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. The entire engine is in front of the windshield and the entrance door is behind the front wheels. Type C school buses are referred to as “conventional” buses.
  • Type D School Bus is a body installed upon a chassis, with the engine mounted in the front, mid ship, or rear, with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds, designed for carrying more than ten persons. The engine may be behind the windshield and beside the driver’s seat; it may be at the rear of the bus, behind the rear wheels; or mid ship between the front and rear axles. The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels. Type D school buses are referred to as “transit style” RE: for “rear-engine”, or FC for “forward control”.

Last Modified: 7/22/2025 1:52:54 PM