Policy 8195 - District Vehicle Idling

The Board is committed to transporting students on school buses in a safe manner. Further, the Board recognizes that accumulated emissions from school buses can be harmful to students, bus drivers, and others in the area of idling buses. Unnecessary bus or district vehicle idling emits pollutants, wastes fuel and wastes financial resources.

District Vehicle Idling Times

  1. When school buses arrive at loading and unloading areas to drop off or pick up passengers, the school bus driver should turn off the bus as soon as possible to eliminate idling time and reduce harmful emissions.
  2. The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart.
  3. School buses should not idle (on or off school grounds) for longer than 5 minutes unless:
    • They are waiting in traffic;
    • They are loading/unloading students with special needs;
    • There are safety or emergency situations;
    • The driver is in the process of receiving or discharging passengers on a public highway or public road.
    • There are maintenance or mechanical situations, inspections, or repair; or
    • There are extreme weather conditions and the purpose is to warm the interior of the bus.
  4. All district vehicles should follow the above guidelines as applicable.

Policy History:
Adopted on: March 12, 2009
Revised on: