Weight requirements for School Buses??

DMS721 · Oct 8, 2014

From a legal standpoint, what is the absolute minimum age/weight a child is able to ride on a full size school bus with seatbelts, but no car seat?? I know what best practices are, but I think what my son's preschool is doing, is actually illegal and I would like to show them what they are doing is not safe.

I'm in California if it makes a difference. Thank you!

LISmama810 · Oct 8, 2014

I went to a school bus seminar in California, but it was a few years ago and I don't remember the details. I THINK that there aren't actually any minimum requirements for a full-size bus in CA.

Ketchupqueen or safeinthecar or someone probably knows more.

DMS721 · Oct 8, 2014

LISmama810 said:
I went to a school bus seminar in California, but it was a few years ago and I don't remember the details. I THINK that there aren't actually any minimum requirements for a full-size bus in CA.

Ketchupqueen or safeinthecar or someone probably knows more.

That is what I was afraid of, and is actually quite scary. I just don't know how a tiny 2 yr old will be able to sit on a school bus with a seatbelt. I ride in those buses when I take my students on a field trip, and my 5 yr old students barely fit in the belts correctly.

I'm going to be "sick" from work the day of his field trip so I can go with on the trip and will drive him in my car, as I don't want him on a school bus. He is 3, but not on the growth chart and has low tone, so I think a school bus would not be safe for him.

Dillipop · Oct 8, 2014

Even if it's legal for them to take the kids, you could bring up how much safer kids would be in their own harnessed seat. Maybe the preschool hasn't thought of it. You could also go on the bus with the kids and put your own child in his car seat on the bus. It will install with the lap let just like in a car.

DMS721 · Oct 8, 2014

Dillipop said:
Even if it's legal for them to take the kids, you could bring up how much safer kids would be in their own harnessed seat. Maybe the preschool hasn't thought of it. You could also go on the bus with the kids and put your own child in his car seat on the bus. It will install with the lap let just like in a car.

I mentioned how it wasn't very safe, but that didn't go over too well. The sad thing is most of the 3 yr olds I see being dropped off in the morning are in low back boosters, so most parents won't blink an eye about the school bus. When my older son was in the 2 yr old room, he couldn't go on the trip as the director said no one under 3 could go on the bus, and the younger kids had to be driven by a parent. I had a newborn at home, and couldn't go on the trip, so I kept him home for the day as a result. Not sure why a few years later, she has changed the rules. The teacher was telling me, they don't want to take the 2yr olds as they will have to deal with diaper changes and all that fuss.

The way they cram kids onto a bus, I don't want to deal with installing his seat on it. I will just drive him separately. I know he will be upset, but his safety comes first.

bnsnyde · Oct 9, 2014

My 16-month old can go on the school bus at her nursery if I go with her on the field trips. But I said no. That's just, in my opinion, wayyy too little.

They take ages 2 and up though without parent!! We've not come across that but I would not want that, at that age. In a carseat, sure.

ahgirls · Oct 9, 2014

I thought 40 lbs was the minimum weight for compartmentalization to work. I don't think there's anything legal wise as busses fall into the public transportation department.

DMS721 · Oct 9, 2014

I guess this is one of those issues where something may be legal but not very safe. Even if I were sitting next to him, I just don't feel safe with him on a bus without a seat. I'm sticking with my original plan of driving him in my own car.

Weight requirements for School Buses??

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