RTA’s Guidelines About School Transport in Dubai

• Regulations for School Management
• Regulations for Drivers/Conductors
• Regulations for Parents/Students
• School Bus Safety Standards
• FAQs

From the implementation of the safety rules to the regulation of the city-wide transportation infrastructure, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) plays a vital role. Safety and convenience have always been a top priority of the transportation authority. A fine example of this is a long list of rules and regulations set by the RTA for school transport. The authority has set guidelines for everyone including parents, children, school management and bus operators.

Here we have compiled a list of important clauses from the RTA school transport guide. Going through them is essential to understand how to use school transport in the UAE responsibly. 

RTA School Transport Guide: Regulations and Safety Standards

Now, let’s take a look at RTA’s outlined responsibilities of students, parents, schools and bus operators.

Responsibilities of School Management and Bus Operators

To maintain excellent school transport standards in Dubai, the school management and bus operators are subject to the following responsibilities:

• A direct bus supervisor must be appointed and provided with all students’ contact details.
• The direct bus supervisor must map out and get the routes approved by the school management.
• The school management must provide an on-duty means of communication for the driver and the direct supervisor.
• The front seats should be designated for boys and the back seats for girls. Random seating is forbidden by the law.
• Women conductors should be hired for each bus, except for boys-only buses for the sixth grade and above.
• The law recommends regular bus maintenance for each 10,000 km, and a maintenance record should be maintained. School buses can be repaired at these bus repair centres in Dubai.
• Any maintenance works, repairs or leaving any spare parts or tools of any kind inside the school premises, near school walls or school surroundings.
• An official uniform must be issued to drivers to maintain decorum and ensure safety.

Responsibilities of School Bus Drivers and Conductors

According to the RTA School Transport Guide, the roles and responsibilities of school bus drivers and conductors are as follows:  

School bus drivers are responsible for:  

• Obtaining a valid Dubai driving licence and a school bus driver permit from the RTA. 
• Obeying the traffic rules and regulations and following all the important bus driving safety tips. 
• Besides the RTA school bus driver qualifications, wearing the official uniform and displaying the ID card while on duty is also mandatory. 
• Checking the bus before and after each trip for any defects or damages and reporting them to the concerned authority. 
• Ensuring that the bus is clean, sanitised and equipped with all the required safety and security devices. 
• Maintaining the bus logbook and recording the details of each trip, such as the number of students, the route, the time, the distance, etc. 
• Reporting any accidents, incidents, or emergencies to the RTA and the school administration as soon as possible. 
• Cooperating with the school bus conductor, supervisor, and inspector in performing their duties. 
• Respecting the students, parents, teachers, and other road users and avoiding any arguments or conflicts. 
• They must also follow the RTA school bus timings. Notifying the school administration of any student’s absence, delay, or misbehaviour on the bus. 
• Using mobile phones or any other devices that may cause distractions while driving is prohibited. 
• No smoking, drinking, or eating inside the bus or while driving is allowed. 
• Drivers are not allowed to carry any passengers other than the authorised students and staff. 

School bus conductors are responsible for:  

• Obtaining a valid school bus conductor permit from the RTA. 
• Wearing the official uniform and displaying the ID card while on duty. 
• Assisting the students in boarding and alighting from the bus safely and orderly. 
• Ensuring that all students are seated properly and wearing seat belts before moving the bus. 
• Checking the attendance of the students on each trip and informing the school administration of any discrepancies. 
• Supervising the students’ behaviour on the bus and preventing any bullying, harassment or vandalism. 
• Providing first aid to any injured or sick student on the bus and notifying the school administration and the RTA of any serious cases. 
• Cooperating with the school bus driver, supervisor, and inspector in performing their duties. Respecting the students, parents, teachers, and other road users and avoiding any arguments or conflicts.

Responsibilities of Students and Parents

• RTA also outlines responsibilities for students and parents to ensure a safe and smooth transportation experience
• Parents need to make sure that their children are present at the school bus assembly point at the specified time. In case of a delay on their part, parents would be responsible for dropping off their children at the school.
• Parents should make their children aware of the importance of traffic safety. The students should know how to safely wait for the school bus and take the necessary precautions when riding.
• Parents are responsible for immediately reporting to the school administration in case of any offence or negligence from the driver.
• Students are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the school bus. They should also notify the school management or their parents in case of any decorum or safety rule violation committed by the driver or other students.
• Students can be barred from school transport service under the following circumstances:
• If they cause bus delays more than three times in an academic year.
• If they breach any safety rules or cause harm to other children during the bus trip.
• If they refuse to get on the bus from the designated gathering point or Dubai school bus stop locations.
• If they get off the school bus before their designated drop-off point without prior permission.

RTA School Bus Safety Standards

RTA has set the following safety standards for school buses in Dubai.

• School buses must not exceed the speed limit of 80 km/h on highways and 40 km/h on internal roads. Moreover, there should also be a speed limiter device installed on buses. These devices must be approved by the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology.
• Each bus must have a first-aid kit with enough supplies according to the number of seats.
• The school buses must also have a fire extinguisher. There should be one six kg fire extinguisher if the school bus is under 10 metres in length. However, if it is more than 10 metres long, it should have two six kg fire extinguishers
• This safety regulation is regarding the model year of the bus. An operational school bus should not be older than 15 years from the date of its manufacturing.
• There must be emergency exits on all school buses according to the number of passengers. According to RTA, the school buses should have at least two emergency exits, one on each side.
• The school buses should include specialised two-buckle safety belts installed on all front-open passenger seats, for instance, the front seats, and the last
• Row’s middle seats. Moreover, the driver’s seat must be fitted with a three-point safety belt.
• All seats must be padded with shock-absorbing vehicle upholstery and fireproof pads from all sides.
• In addition to the above specifications, buses that mostly transport children under the age of five must be fitted with triple buckle safety belts.
• There must be no sharp-edge interior or exterior features on the school bus.
• Besides, there is a separate set of safety and bus design standards for the Student of Determination school bus service by RTA.

FAQs

What are the rules for school bus safety in Dubai?

The RTA has outlined detailed guidelines for school bus service providers and users to ensure school bus safety in Dubai. From speed limits to navigation on the road and onboard experiences, the defined roles and responsibilities cater to all these aspects.

How can I track my child’s school bus in real-time?

Parents can use the DTC School Bus App to track the school bus in real-time. The app is the product of Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), a subsidiary of RTA. Meanwhile, parents using ride-hailing services can also track their child’s journey to school and vice versa in real-time.

Are there any penalties for violating school bus rules and regulations in Dubai?

Yes, there are penalties and fines for people violating the school bus rules. For more information in this regard, go through this detailed information about Dubai school transport.

There you have it – all the significant details from the RTA school transport guide. Besides, here are some traffic rules for citizens to follow in a Dubai school zone. All these safety standards and traffic regulations ensure a convenient and hassle-free school transport in the emirate. Women aspiring to supervise school transport operations can also apply for an RTA permit as a female school transport supervisor.

Parents who are more inclined towards a ride-hailing service can go for the Careem School Rides service by RTA. Meanwhile, those looking for a vehicle for their day-to-day transportation needs can browse these used cars for sale in Dubai.

For more informative pieces regarding RTA traffic rules and safety, keep reading dubizzle’s auto blog.