Buses & Motorcoaches
Bus and motorcoach drivers are responsible for the safety of dozens of passengers. A crash, fire or a passenger emergency can affect many people at once. Careful inspection, smooth driving, rested drivers and good emergency preparation protect riders and drivers alike.
- Bus Drivers
- Motorcoach Operators
- Fleet Managers
- Tour & Charter Staff
Licensing and rules
- Drivers of vehicles that carry 16 or more people (including the driver) need a Class B or C commercial driver's license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement, and a school bus (S) endorsement for school buses. See CDL Classes & Endorsements and School Buses.
- Federal motor carrier safety rules apply to interstate passenger carriers, including driver qualification, medical exams, drug and alcohol testing and hours of service. See DOT Physical and Drug & Alcohol Testing.
- Hours of service for passenger carriers differ from property carriers: generally a driver may drive up to 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty and may not drive after 15 hours on duty. See Hours of Service and the current FMCSA rules.
- New motorcoaches are required to have seat belts (lap and shoulder) for passengers under federal rules for buses built since 2016. Drivers should remind passengers to buckle up.
Main hazards
- Crashes and rollovers, especially on curves, ramps, steep grades and wet roads. See Rollovers & Jackknifes.
- Driver fatigue, long schedules and night driving. See Driver Fatigue.
- Low bridges and clearances, which cause serious crashes with tall coaches. See Oversize Loads for route planning.
- Brake fade and failures on mountain grades. See Air Brakes and Mountain Grades.
- Fire: engine compartment, tire and brake fires. Smoke can spread quickly. See Fire Prevention.
- Passenger falls and injuries when standing, boarding, braking or in aisles.
- Assaults and disruptive passengers, and medical emergencies.
- Pedestrians and cyclists near stops and in blind spots. See Truck Blind Spots.
- Ergonomics: long sitting, vibration and loading luggage. See Driver Health & Ergonomics.
Pre-trip and vehicle safety
- Do a pre-trip inspection each day: tires, wheels, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, mirrors, wipers, engine compartment, emergency exits and doors, seat belts and the passenger area. Report defects before departure. See Pre-Trip Inspection.
- Check emergency equipment: fire extinguishers, first aid kit, warning devices, emergency exit windows, roof hatches and exit signs and handles. Know how each opens.
- Test wheelchair lifts and ramps before service, and use securement systems and restraints as designed.
- Check luggage bays and doors are latched, and load luggage evenly with heavy items low.
- Keep aisles and stairs clear of bags and clutter.
Driving and passenger safety
- Drive smoothly and defensively: keep extra following distance, slow for curves and ramps, and brake gradually. Avoid sudden stops that throw passengers.
- Plan a bus-legal route with clearances, weight limits, turns and parking, using bus-specific GPS. Know your vehicle's height. See Weight Limits & Scales.
- Make safety announcements at the start of each trip: seat belts, exits, no standing, and what to do in an emergency.
- Wait until passengers are seated before moving, and make sure nobody is on the steps or walking in the aisle when departing, especially children and older adults.
- Use mirrors and cameras and check for pedestrians, cyclists and cars before opening doors and leaving a stop. Don't use a phone while driving. See Distracted Driving.
- Take breaks and rest as required and have a relief driver for long trips. Don't drive if you're ill or impaired. See Driver Pay & Rights.
- Watch the weather and slow or stop in fog, ice, high winds and flooding. See Winter Trucking.
Emergencies and evacuation
- Fire: stop in a safe place, shut down the engine, evacuate passengers quickly to a safe distance upwind and call 911. Use an extinguisher only if it's small and safe, at the start of the fire. See Truck Crash Response.
- Crashes and breakdowns: secure the vehicle, turn on hazard lights, set out warning devices, check passengers, call 911 and keep people away from traffic. Don't move seriously injured people unless there's immediate danger. See First Aid Basics.
- Evacuation: know how to open emergency exits and assist people with disabilities. Practice evacuation drills. See Emergency Action Plans.
- Medical emergencies and disruptive passengers: pull over safely, call dispatch or 911, use first aid training and the AED if available. See CPR & AED and Workplace Violence.
- Human trafficking: buses are sometimes used in trafficking. Know the signs and the hotline, 1-888-373-7888. See Human Trafficking Awareness.
Bus and coach checklist
- I hold the right CDL and passenger endorsement and my medical card is current
- I completed the pre-trip, including exits, extinguisher, first aid and wheelchair lift
- I plan a bus-legal route and know my vehicle's height
- I give a safety briefing and wait for passengers to sit before moving
- I follow hours-of-service rules and know my emergency and evacuation plan
Standards & references
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