Operations Assessments

Each school division is required to follow and comply with Virginia law and Board of Education Regulations concerning the transportation of school children. To ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, the Virginia Department of Education will, from time to time, conduct checks of local pupil transportation operations with a focus on technical assistance and preventive action.

What Happens during a Local Transportation Operations Assessment?

Briefing with Division Superintendent or Designee

A VDOE transportation specialist will notify the division superintendent of the planned visit. On the day of the assessment, a VDOE transportation specialist will meet with the division superintendent (or designee), explain the nature of the transportation operations assessment visit and answer any questions.

Fleet Assessment

VDOE will select a random number of buses and bus maintenance records to audit. Anything found to compromise the safety of passengers that cannot be repaired at the time of the assessment will be noted on the “Report of School Bus Deficiencies.” Once the repair is completed, the form – with documentation of the completed repair and signature of the division superintendent – should be mailed to VDOE’s Pupil Transportation Services unit.

Driver Records Assessment

VDOE will check bus driver records pertaining to eligibility of employment and evidence of required training for school bus and activity vehicle drives.

Regulatory Assessment

VDOE will check for compliance with general Pupil Transportation Regulations.

After the assessment has been completed, the VDOE Pupil Transportation Services staff member will complete a written report outlining the findings of the operations assessment.