Beginning October 2025, significant updates to school bus safety rules 2025 will take effect across the country. These changes are being rolled out in response to rising concerns around student safety, updated vehicle technology, and recent policy overhauls in line with new RTO regulations. For parents, it’s critical to understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how to ensure their children are ready.
Mandatory Safety Equipment on All School Buses
Under the school bus safety rules 2025, every school bus—whether public or private—must now be equipped with advanced safety systems. These include:
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CCTV cameras inside and outside the bus
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GPS tracking systems monitored in real time by school authorities
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Speed governors restricting the bus to 60 km/h on urban roads
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Automated fire detection and suppression systems
This is a notable step forward. Until now, these technologies were only required in select states or for newly purchased buses. Starting October, they will be compulsory for all school transport vehicles, including older models.
Stricter Driver Qualifications and Monitoring
One of the most critical updates in the new RTO regulations is the enhanced eligibility criteria for school bus drivers. To qualify, a driver must:
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Have a minimum of 5 years of commercial driving experience
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Hold a valid PSV (Public Service Vehicle) badge
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Pass an annual health and vision test
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Undergo a mandatory background check for any criminal history
Moreover, drivers will now be enrolled in a centralized database maintained by the RTO. Any traffic violations, complaints, or safety breaches will be recorded and monitored, affecting their eligibility to continue transporting schoolchildren.
Revised Seating and Capacity Guidelines
To reduce overcrowding and improve comfort, the school bus safety rules 2025 cap the number of students allowed on a single bus. The new capacity is calculated based on seatbelt-equipped seating. Buses must also provide separate seating for students under 10, ensuring they are not crushed or crowded by older kids.
Further, each seat must be equipped with a three-point seatbelt, and wearing it will now be enforceable by law. Schools are expected to conduct regular safety drills to ensure all students are trained in proper bus behavior and emergency procedures.
Compulsory Safety Escorts for Younger Students
The new rules require all buses transporting children below Class 5 to have a trained female attendant on board. Her role is to supervise boarding and deboarding, ensure seatbelts are used, and assist in any emergency.
Additionally, for routes passing through high-traffic or less secure areas, a second adult escort—either from the school staff or a local guardian—is now recommended by the new RTO regulations.
School and Parent Responsibilities
The regulations don’t only apply to transportation providers. Schools are now legally accountable for the buses they operate or contract. They must:
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Keep updated documentation of the vehicle’s registration, fitness, and insurance
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Maintain driver and attendant rosters with verification logs
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Share bus route details and emergency contact info with parents
Parents, in turn, are encouraged to:
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Teach children proper behavior inside the bus
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Save and share emergency contact numbers
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Regularly review route updates via the school’s tracking app
Transition Period and Penalties
October 2025 marks the deadline for full compliance, but the government has granted a three-month grace period for minor upgrades or administrative lapses. However, failure to comply after January 2026 can lead to:
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Hefty fines (up to ₹50,000 per vehicle)
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Suspension of vehicle registration
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Disqualification of driver permits
FAQs on the School Bus Safety Rules 2025
Q1: Will these rules apply to private vans or just school buses?
Yes, any vehicle used for transporting schoolchildren—vans, minibuses, or shared autos—must follow the new RTO regulations if they operate under a school’s authorization.
Q2: How can parents track if a school bus follows the new safety guidelines?
Schools are required to publish compliance reports quarterly. Parents can also request inspection logs or inquire via the school’s transport management system.
Q3: What happens if a bus doesn’t have seatbelts installed by October 2025?
It will be deemed non-compliant. The operator could face penalties, and the school may be held legally responsible.
Q4: Are GPS and CCTV feeds accessible to parents?
Live GPS tracking is typically shared via mobile apps. However, CCTV footage is only reviewed by authorized school or transport safety officers unless an incident occurs.
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