Washington Administrative Code

A school bus driver authorization may be issued by the superintendent upon application by an authorized representative of the employing local education agency subject to compliance with the following provisions:(1) Requirements for authorization. The employing local education age…

(1) Burden of proof. A request for an authorization may be denied or an authorization issued under this chapter may be suspended or revoked for failure to meet any of the minimum requirements set forth in WAC 392-144-101 and 392-144-102 or for disqualifying conditions set forth i…

(1) Verification. School bus drivers must provide verification to their employer of passing a medical examination completed by a medical examiner at or prior to the current certificate expiration date.(2) Exemptions or waivers. If the medical examiner determines the school bus dr…

(1) Written notification of criminal charges.(a) Every person authorized under this chapter to operate a motor vehicle to transport children shall, within twenty calendar days, notify his or her employer in writing of the filing of any criminal charge involving conduct listed in …

(1) Written notification of disqualifying conditions. Every local education agency employing authorized school bus drivers to transport children or contracting with a private firm who provides such authorized drivers as a part of a contract shall, within twenty calendar days, not…

(1) Annual evaluation. Every local education agency shall annually evaluate each authorized school bus driver for continuing compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The results of this evaluation of all drivers shall be submitted to the superintendent or their designee no…

The authority for this chapter is RCW 46.61.380 which authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to adopt and enforce regulations to cover the operation of all school buses transporting common school students. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the manner of ope…

The definition of "school bus" as the term is used in this chapter shall be as now or hereafter set forth in WAC 392-143-010.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.380. WSR 07-05-058, § 392-145-005, filed 2/20/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 84-20-082 (Order 84-40), § 392-145-005, filed 10/2…

All school districts shall comply with the following requirements:(1) The provisions of this chapter shall be incorporated by express reference into all school district contracts for the transportation of students in privately owned and operated school buses. Every school distric…

The policies or rules for students riding school buses shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:(1) Identification of the individual who has authority over the passengers;(2) Student riding privileges;(3) Loading and unloading procedures, including that if…

The following operating procedures are required to assure maximum passenger safety:(1) No school bus shall be operated unless each passenger aboard has been provided with a safe seat of sufficient size to accommodate each passenger within the seat compartment. There shall be no a…

The following are school bus driver requirements:(1) School bus drivers shall wear a properly adjusted seat belt whenever the school bus is in motion.(2) School bus drivers shall immediately report any suspected malfunction or needed repair of the school bus in their charge.(3) A…

The following are requirements to assure safety and security of the school bus during operation:(1) Motor fuel shall not be put into the tank while the engine is running or while passengers are on the school bus. School bus drivers, prior to commencement of any trip, shall assure…

In addition to the following school bus operating requirements, school bus drivers shall observe all driving regulations set forth in the laws of the state of Washington relating to the operation of motor vehicles (chapter 46.61 RCW, Rules of the road).(1) School bus drivers shal…

The following procedures are required to assure maximum student safety:(1) A school bus driver shall not order or allow a student to depart the school bus other than at his or her regular stop unless permission is first obtained in accordance with district policy.(2) School bus d…

The following requirements apply to drivers of school buses during rail grade crossings:(1) All school buses shall stop at all rail grade crossings except:(a) Where traffic is controlled by a police officer or flagger;(b) Where a functioning traffic control signal is transmitting…

The following requirements are designed to provide maximum passenger safety in emergency situations:(1) All school districts shall prepare written policies or rules which establish procedures for school bus safety and emergency exit drills.(2) One actual emergency evacuation dril…

The authority for this chapter is RCW 46.61.385 which authorizes the appointment and operation of school patrols by any public or private school subject to the conditions, procedures, and considerations required by this chapter. RCW 28A.160.160(5) requires walking routes for elem…

The purpose of this chapter is to implement RCW 46.61.385 and provide for safe operation of school patrols.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.385. WSR 91-15-016, § 392-151-005, filed 7/10/91, effective 8/10/91; Order 7-75, § 392-151-005, filed 12/22/75.]

The function of a school patrol is to assist and aid members of the student body in the safe and proper crossing of roadways adjacent to the school.Student school patrol members assigned to work at a location with an adult school patrol member shall assist and act at the directio…

The superintendent or chief administrative officer of the school district shall be ultimately responsible for determining school patrol policy and operations. The principal of each school shall provide leadership in developing the school patrol. Daily operation of a school patrol…

Both a school district and its employees or agents are potentially liable for damages sustained by students or others as the result of negligence. Any school district operating a school patrol shall adopt policies and procedures to reduce the potential liability and ensure studen…

Suggested route plans shall be developed for each elementary school that has students who walk to and from school. It shall recommend school routes based on considerations of traffic patterns, existing traffic controls, and other crossing protection aids such as school patrols. T…

(1) School patrol controlled crossings shall not be operated unless proper traffic control devices are in place as depicted in Washington state department of transportation, Sign Fabrication Manual and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as now or hereafter amended. As a m…

Note:The Washington state department of transportation defines when children are present as:1. School children are occupying or walking within the marked crosswalk.2. School children are occupying or waiting at the curb or on the shoulder of the roadway and are about to cross the…

The school principal or a member of the staff appointed by the principal shall supervise the school patrol. Criteria for the selection of a school patrol supervisor shall include:(1) Interest in safety.(2) Ability to organize, lead and discipline.(3) Ability to recognize individu…

Duties of a school patrol supervisor shall include:(1) Being knowledgeable in all areas of the school patrol.(2) Selection of school patrol members according to school policy.(3) Instruction and training of all school patrol members and officers in their respective duties.(4) Hol…

Student school patrol members shall be selected from the upper grade levels and preferably not below age ten. Qualities such as leadership and reliability shall be considered in the selection of any patrol member.Written approval of a parent or guardian shall be secured in the ca…

Schools may appoint adults as members of a school patrol. The following criteria may be used to determine at which locations adult patrol members shall be stationed:(1) When there is a lack of adequate gaps due to a high volume of traffic.(2) When there is a restricted sight dist…

Prior to any assignment, good character references and a Washington state patrol criminal history request shall be obtained on each adult candidate.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.385. WSR 19-01-058, § 392-151-060, filed 12/14/18, effective 1/14/19; WSR 91-15-016, § 392-151-060, …

The number of members on a school patrol shall be determined by factors such as: Roadway conditions, number of intersections, volume of vehicular traffic, school enrollment, and number of arrival and school dismissal times.Each school patrol may have a patrol captain and one or m…

Parents or guardians shall be informed of the amount of time students are scheduled to serve on patrols and how much class time may be missed due to patrol duty.When a patrol member has been assigned to a particular crossing, the member shall be on duty at all times students are …

Each school patrol member shall adhere to the following duties and rules:(1) Report to the crossing on time and remain during the prescribed period or until properly relieved.(2) Perform duties as outlined.(3) Wear standard uniform at all times while on duty.(4) Attend strictly t…

The standard uniform for school patrol members shall include a badge, high-visibility reflective vest, flag that meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) standards for high-visibility safety apparel and accessori…

Each school patrol member shall be thoroughly trained in his or her duties before being permitted to take assigned posts. Instruction shall include the fundamentals of patrol operation - Where and how to stand when on duty, how to handle the patrol flag, and what constitutes a su…

Each school patrol member shall stand back of the curb or roadway edge—not in the street—and remind students to wait behind the flag until there is an adequate gap in traffic. A safe distance from the roadway edge shall be one length of the flag staff. When the traffic gap occurs…

At an intersection with a traffic signal, the light shall govern school patrol operation and the movement of students.[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.385. WSR 19-01-058, § 392-151-135, filed 12/14/18, effective 1/14/19; WSR 91-15-016, § 392-151-135, filed 7/10/91, effective 8/10/…

Moving motor vehicle violations at school crossings shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. School patrol members shall report all incidents which occur on or near their crossings which appear to involve unsafe practices on the part of anyone. Such reports sh…

RCW 28A.220.030 authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to adopt rules and regulations governing the operation of public and private school traffic safety education programs and to monitor the quality of the programs offered. This chapter specifies the requirements to…

(1) A "traffic safety education course" consists of two phases: Classroom instruction and laboratory experience. Laboratory experience is primarily characterized by student on-street driving, but includes simulator and multiple car driving range experience.(2) A "satisfactory dri…

School districts are required to apply annually to the superintendent of public instruction for approval of their traffic safety education program. Only approved programs are entitled to provide completion certificates to students. In order for a traffic safety education program …

(1) If you are a teacher certificated under provisions of chapter 28A.410 RCW, you can qualify for a traffic safety endorsement or letter of authorization issued by the superintendent of public instruction to teach the classroom or laboratory phases if you meet the following requ…

(1) You may be issued a behind the wheel conditional certificate by the superintendent of public instruction to teach the laboratory phase, provided you meet the following requirements:(a) Complete a behind the wheel conditional certificate course, consisting of at least sixty cl…

Every vehicle used in on-street traffic safety education instruction shall:(1) Be equipped with a dual control brake, rear view mirror for the instructor, and seat belts for each occupant.(2) Have a sign clearly readable from the rear at one hundred feet designating the vehicle i…

(1) Each school district curriculum guide shall include:(a) The minimum concepts to be taught, which are: Introduction to highway transportation system; preparing and controlling the vehicle; maneuvering in limited space; signs, signals, and pavement markings; vehicle characteris…

A student enrolled in a traffic safety education course must have a valid driver instruction permit issued before or within seven days after the start date of classroom instruction. A student shall meet the objectives and competencies listed in the curriculum guide prior to being…

(1) Any portion of a traffic safety education course may be taught after regular school hours or on Saturdays, as well as on regular school days or as a summer school course.(2) Students shall not have more than two hours of classroom and one hour laboratory instruction in any tw…