Senate Bill 88

What is SB-88?

SB-88 is California legislation (Chapter 380, Statutes of 2023), signed into law on October 7, 2023, that updates requirements for people and companies transporting students (pupils) to and from school or related activities. Starting July 1, 2025, SB-88 mandates that drivers providing compensated pupil transportation (either employed by a school or contracted via a private entity) meet stricter health, safety, and oversight standards.

Overview of SB-88 Requirements

SB-88 expands existing requirements to include all paid drivers involved in student transportation, significantly broadening the scope beyond traditional school bus drivers. Unless an applicable exception applies, its requirements apply to all school-related student transportation to or from a school campus, including home-to-school transportation, field trips, after-school, preschool, and childcare-related programs, athletics, and other extracurricular programs. These requirements apply to both private transportation companies contracted by the LEA and certificated and classified employees who transport students.

SB-88 Driver Requirements

Paid drivers that provide student transportation services in a vehicle with a maximum capacity of 10 or fewer, including the driver, must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Pass a criminal background check, tuberculosis screening, and drug and alcohol testing.
2. Complete a medical examination within the past two years.
3. Be at least 18 years old, hold a valid California driver’s license, and maintain a clean driving record.
4. Complete initial and ongoing training in first aid, safe driving practices, and emergency evacuation procedures.
5. Drivers may not drive more than 10 hours or remain on duty beyond 16 hours without first taking at least eight consecutive hours off.

While SB-88 has a minimum age requirement of 18 years of age, WUSD requires all drivers to be at least 21 years of age to transport students.

Exceptions to SB-88 Implementation

While SB-88 introduces new safety requirements for paid drivers transporting students, there are several exceptions. Some notable exceptions include:

• School employees who drive fewer than 40 hours total per school year. This exception applies to staff who transport students for school-related activities (e.g., field trips or sports) if their total driving time remains under 40 hours during the school year. Drivers who exceed 40 hours will be subject to SB-88’s driver qualifications and vehicle requirements.To utilize this exception, the district must:

a. Demonstrate that it made a reasonable effort to secure a driver who meets the SB-88 requirements. 
b. Notify the parent or legal guardian of the student that the district was unable to secure a driver who meets the SB-88 requirements.

• Unpaid volunteer drivers. This includes parent volunteers driving their own or other students, who are not employed by the district.
• Emergency or safety-related transportation. SB-88 excludes situations where students are transported due to emergencies or imminent threats to their health or safety