School Transportation Safety

Transportation Safety Update - Senate Bill 88

SMUHSD is committed to ensuring the highest level of safety for students who are transported to and from school or school-related activities. In addition to the yellow school bus fleet, SMUHSD also utilizes 10-passenger Ford Transit vans. Senate Bill 88 (SB 88), passed in 2023 and taking effect July 1, 2025, establishes new requirements for vehicles and drivers involved in transporting students in vans with a capacity of ten passengers or fewer. The bill defines “school-related pupil transportation” as any transportation to or from a school campus, including home-to-school service, field trips, after-school programs, athletics, or extracurricular activities.

Under SB 88, districts are required to designate specific drivers as SB 88 Qualified Drivers if they are providing more than 40 hours of school-related pupil transportation. Drivers below that threshold may be designated as Approved Drivers, provided they still meet key safety and screening criteria.  SMUHSD students may be transported by either SB 88 Qualified Drivers or Approved Drivers. 

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Our Driver Categories

At the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD), we have two groups of authorized white van drivers: SB 88 Qualified Drivers and Approved Drivers. Both groups play a vital role in safely transporting students, and while their requirements differ, all drivers are thoroughly vetted and operate under strict safety protocols.

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SB 88 Qualified Drivers

Required for drivers providing more than 40 hours of student transportation in vans (10-passenger capacity or fewer), these individuals meet a comprehensive set of safety, health, and training requirements, including:

• Minimum age of 18
   
• Valid California driver’s license
   
• Fingerprint clearance (background check)
   
• Clean driving record (enrolled in DMV Pull Notice Program)
   
• Valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC)
   
• Annual medical exams for drivers 65+
   
• TB testing
   
• Proficiency in:
   
  • Pre-trip vehicle inspections
     
  • Safe loading/unloading of passengers
     
  • Proper seatbelt and child restraint usage
     
  • Emergency and accident response
     
  • Accommodations for students with disabilities
     
  • Defensive driving
     
  • Driving in adverse weather or poor visibility
     
• Possession of a current First Aid card
   
• Compliance with work-time limits (e.g., no more than 10 driving hours within a duty period or after 16 hours on duty following 8 consecutive hours off)
   

Vehicle Requirements

• 19-point inspection every 12 months or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) at a Bureau of Automotive Repair–licensed facility

• Additionally, SMUHSD district-certified technicians inspect our vans every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first
• Each van is equipped with a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher

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Approved Drivers

These drivers may provide student transportation under 40 hours and still meet essential qualifications to ensure student safety, including:

• Valid California driver’s license
• Fingerprint clearance (background check)
• Clean driving record
• TB testing

Vehicle Requirements

• The same 19-point inspection schedule applies (every 12 months or 50,000 miles)
• District-certified inspection every 5,000 miles or 6 months
• First aid kit and fire extinguisher in each van

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Safety First

All drivers—whether SB 88 Qualified or Approved—are held to high safety standards. Every driver is thoroughly background-checked, closely monitored, and operates vehicles that are regularly inspected to meet or exceed state safety standards.

If you have any questions about transportation services or our driver requirements, please feel free to contact us at 650-558-2446.

Thank you for your trust in our team and for supporting the safe transportation of all students.