Transportation
Welcome to the Tennessee Department of Education student transportation homepage.
As school buses provide services for students to and from school and school activities, safety remains the department’s number one priority. With this in mind, the department is committed to providing all transportation supervisors with high-quality training and necessary resources to ensure that all buses are properly maintained. In addition, all drivers must meet strict licensing requirements, including successful completion of driver training, background checks, and drug and alcohol testing.
Tennessee schools transport approximately 700,000 students a day on approximately 8,700 bus routes in districts and charters across the diverse terrain of city, urban, and rural routes.
The department rules on all waiver requests from public school officials; coordinates the development of new or revised State Board rules and regulations; determines pupil transportation equipment specifications approves and issues or rejects overload permits; distributes school bus accident, medical examination, and annual statistical report forms to local school districts; collects, compiles and analyzes data from accidents involving school buses; and, allocates pupil transportation funds to local school districts.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services for all children with a focus on continuous improvement that supports positive learning experiences.
Our vision is to be recognized as an integral member of the school community; a model of excellence in safety and reliability with zero student injury accidents.
Contact Information
Alex Spann
Student Transportation Manager
Office of School Safety and Transportation
Andrew Johnson Tower, 10th floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 490-1754
Brian Yarbro
Senior Director of School Safety & Transportation
Office of School Safety and Transportation
Andrew Johnson Tower, 10th floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(629) 259-4952
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| Accident Procedures Checklist | These emergency operations best practice resources include a sample accident procedures checklist to help guide and document actions taken during a student transportation accident, as well as evacuation procedures, tips, drill checklists, and documentation forms. |
| Activity Safety Announcements Script - Sample | |
| Front Door Evacuation Drill - Sample | |
| Rear Door Evacuation Drill - Sample | |
| School Bus Evacuation Documentation - Sample | |
| School Bus Evacuation Procedures - Sample |
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| PreTrip Inspection Monthly - Sample | This sample school bus pre-trip inspection log helps ensure that a school bus is in proper working condition before each route. |
| School Bus Preventative Schedule - Sample | This sample school bus preventative maintenance schedule will help inform what bus repairs are needed in order to keep each bus in good working condition. |
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| Bus Driver Annual Evaluation Form - Sample | This is a sample Bus Driver Annual Evaluation Form. |
| Previous Employer Form - Sample | This sample Previous Employer Form can be used to verify details about a prospective employee’s previous work history. |
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| These resources include school bus safety tips for students, parents, transportation supervisors, and bus drivers, as well as a sample School Bus Stop Evaluation Form in order to assess the safety of a bus stop. | |
| School Bus Safety Tips For Transportation Supervisors & Bus Drivers | |
| School Bus Stop Evaluation Form - Sample |
- Shareable Public Service Announcement Images
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| Motor Coach Vendor | The motor coach vendor qualification form is intended to be used by schools to vet motor coach vendors prior to using their services. |
| Transportation Complaint Form - Sample | Sample Driver Safety Violation/Concern Complaint Report Form (in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-2116) |
| Transportation Services Internal Monitoring - Sample | This sample internal monitoring form provides a comprehensive audit of Transportation operations. |
| Transportation Supervisor Monthly Checklist - Sample | This sample checklist assists Transportation Directors with monthly day-to-day operations. |
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| TN Department of Safety 2C Form | This document is to be used to satisfy the requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. 55-50-302(d) and 55-50-302(e) regarding certification and recommendation by appropriate officials of an individual applying for a school bus (S) endorsement. |
| Student Transportation Laws | This provides a list of commonly reviewed Student Transportation Laws for quick reference use. |
| Student Transportation Monitoring Instrument | This Student Transportation Monitoring Instrument should be used by schools as a guide to achieve compliance with all applicable state and federal laws regarding student transportation services. |
| FAQs on Driver Testing and Third Party Examiners | This FAQ has been compiled by the TN Department of Safety’s CDL Division and is intended to help schools understand how to schedule driver skills testing and the process of using or becoming a third party examiner. |
| Resource Links | Resource Description |
|---|---|
| Documentation of Completion Form | This checklist is intended for by the Transportation Supervisor or trainer designee in conducting required training for entry level drivers. |
| Key Performance Indicators for Trainers | This resource provides key driver performance indicators for trainers conducting entry level school bus driver training. |
To correct or replace transportation director information, click here
| CORE | District | Supervisor | Phone |
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