School Transportation

This program area is administered cooperatively by the South Dakota Department of Education, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing Office. Rules set by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards govern construction of the school bus body, chassis and operational procedures.

South Dakota school districts report annually, all school bus drivers they employ to the Department of Education. The South Dakota Highway Patrol handles school bus safety inspections and enforcement functions. The Driver Licensing Office tests school bus driver applicants and issues a driver's license.

13-29-21. School bus driver training. Each school bus driver shall receive appropriate training at least once every five years, and the school bus driver shall pay any fees charged for the training. The training shall include classroom instruction in first aid, bus safety, and the management of passengers, and also behind-the-wheel training to enable the safe and efficient operation of the bus.