Under what circumstances may a school bus driver make repairs to the bus?

A school bus driver is authorized to make repairs only for necessary emergency repairs on the road. This stipulation ensures the safety of the students and the reliability of the bus during operation. Emergency repairs may include situations such as fixing a flat tire or addressing a mechanical issue that poses an immediate risk to safety. Making repairs in such instances is critical for ensuring that the bus can safely continue to operate or get to a place where professional repairs can be conducted.

Routine maintenance, addressing minor issues as reported by students, or undertaking repairs without direction from a supervisor are typically outside the scope of a driver's responsibilities. Routine maintenance should be handled by trained mechanics or service personnel as part of a scheduled maintenance plan, while minor repairs or modifications could inadvertently introduce risks or distract the driver from their primary safety duties. Therefore, limiting repairs to emergency situations helps ensure that the bus remains compliant with safety standards and regulations.