Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Office of School Bus Safety

Advancing the Safety of Student Transportation in New Jersey 

A school bus overlaying an image of the state of New Jersey with the words Education Compliance Enforcement The Office of School Bus Safety is committed to advancing the safety of student transportation in New Jersey through dedicated educational, compliance, and enforcement efforts. Our mission is to safeguard every student's journey, upholding the highest standards of safety in school transportation services.

Promoting Safety Through Education, Compliance, and Enforcement

“The safest way to transport children to and from school is by school bus. In fact, students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car.” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - NHTSA)

The most dangerous aspect of school buses is loading and unloading. Unfortunately, some motorists fail to follow the rules by driving around the school bus and ignoring the flashing lights. This puts students in grave danger.

Most school bus-related accidents occur within a 10-foot radius around the bus, where the driver has limited visibility. This area is called the "danger zone." It extends to 30 feet in front of the bus. To avoid accidents, teach your child to use caution when getting on or off the bus and always to stay out of the danger zone.” (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - NJMVC)

Did You Know?

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is April 22, 2025! The Office of School Bus Safety is excited to partake in this initiative for the second year. We are proud to honor this national date and want to recognize the school bus drivers for their dedication to the job, and for helping to keep our students safe during the transportation process.  We ask that all schools, school bus contractors, students, and parents partake in this event by thanking their drivers. Further appreciation can extend to fun activities like creating signs, hosting breakfast for the drivers, and other fun ideas. Additionally, you can play Spot the Bus with your students by taking notice of how many school buses you see on the road that day. We understand that spring break may impact this date, so please feel free to observe the day on the week prior or after if needed.  We thank everyone for helping us to send a thank you to our drivers and making them feel appreciated.

Bus Safety Essentials

Contact Information

  • New Jersey Department of Education
    Office of School Bus Safety
    PO Box 500
    Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0500
    OfficeofSchoolBusSafety@doe.nj.gov

  • Parent Portal
    The Office of School Bus Safety has created a Parent Portal for parents to communicate their needs and concerns directly with the office. Please reach out to BusSafetyParents@doe.nj.gov.

Take Action to Improve School Bus Safety

Education

The Office of School Bus Safety hosts educational training throughout the State of New Jersey to provide information to key stakeholders such as parents, school districts, bus contractors, and more. Additional training is provided to new and existing school bus companies.  

Compliance

The Office of School Bus Safety will hold school bus companies and school districts accountable to New Jersey laws, statutes, and safety standards. The office reviews current statutes, training procedures, and various documents for updates and the need for new information.

Enforcement

The Office of School Bus Safety has established partnerships to develop a force multiplier system across the State of New Jersey.  

Technical Assistance

The Office of School Bus Safety provides technical support as needed. For questions, submitting reports, or all other inquiries please send an email to OfficeofSchoolBusSafety@doe.nj.gov.