Special Ed Bus Driving Safety

School systems are responsible for ensuring that children with special needs are safely transported to and from school, so school bus drivers must be qualified to transport these students.

Wheelchairs are the primary mode of transport for children with special needs, so drivers must be able to secure them to the floor in a forward-facing position with fastening devices that are attached to the floor.

Drivers should also be able to respond to student seizures and deal with the behavioral problems of special ed students.

They should also have time management skills, so they can pick up special ed students at preordained times and efficiently load them on board.

Drivers should receive annual training in special needs transportation so they can provide the most current and proper support to children with special transportation requirements.