Transportation Law FAQs

Current laws for pupil transportation in Ohio may be located within the Ohio Administrative Code and Ohio Revised Code.

The state minimum requires transportation to those students in grades K-8 who reside more than 2.0 miles from school. Under state minimums, transportation for grades 9-12 does not have to be provided. However, a shuttle from the high school to a member vocational school is required. In addition, districts do have an obligation to transport students with special needs as identified in those students’ Individual Education Plans.

No. Ohio law does not permit school districts to charge pupils for transportation service to and from school.

Yes. The penalty for violation of the Ohio Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety Rules is a Minor Misdemeanor but may be escalated to a Misdemeanor of the 4th Degree. Any law enforcement agency in Ohio has the power to enforce these operation and safety rules

There is no identified target number that districts are obligated to meet. It is up to each school district to manage the length of time students ride their bus. Ride times vary by traffic, locality and numerous other criteria, which means each school district’s ride times can be different.

No law requires a student’s bus stop to be visible from the student’s residence. Bus stop locations are determined by the board of education. Students in Ohio may be assigned to a bus stop up to one-half mile from their home and we encourage parents to accompany their child to the bus stop whenever possible. This teaches the child safe habits of walking to and from the bus stop and provides additional peace of mind to the parent.

While we understand this may be of concern in some situations, many students routinely walk safely alongside roadways to reach their bus stop.

Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to the bus' arrival. Bus drivers must count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop, the bus driver cannot count them and cannot be certain all the students are safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after a bus, which is a very dangerous thing to do. Many districts also instruct their buses not to stop at locations where no students are waiting.

A child who has an IEP only receives special transportation when the IEP team designates such as a “related service.” If special transportation is not included on the IEP, your child will be transported similarly to regular education students.