Each year, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) hosts the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition.
This is one of the most important events in the industry, with the best school bus drivers from the U.S. and Canada competing for top honors and recognition. The event begins with a written test and then contestants get behind the wheel of a bus to put their driving skills to the test.
Competing in one of three categories (conventional, transit, or small bus), drivers have the opportunity to demonstrate their professionalism, skill, and dedication to pupil transportation. The event culminates with an Awards Banquet, where the winners of the competition are announced.
In order to be eligible to compete, a driver must have competed in their state or province competition in the school bus class that they are entering in the International Competition within one year prior to the International School Bus Driver Safety Competition. In addition, each state or province is allowed a maximum of two contestants in each school bus class not to exceed a total of six contestants per state.
To be eligible to compete, NSTA must receive information detailing the date and location of the state competition event as well as the public sector winner’s highest score in each school bus class and the top private sector winner’s highest score in each school bus class from that state competition event. Drivers cannot be approved for the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition on July 15 and 16 in Indianapolis, Indiana until this documentation is submitted.
Check for all of the details and the 2017 Competition Handbook at: http://www.yellowbuses.org/safety-competition/. Then, plan your state or provincial competition and send your best drivers to the International Competition July 15-16 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ronna Weber is the executive director of the National School Transportation Association, composed of member representatives from private school bus contractors from across North America.
