Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Day to day operational issues including records management, food safety and privacy.

Bus Accreditation

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes, if your school owns and operates a private bus.

Conditions of compliance

Under the Public Transport Competition Act 1995 (VIC), school-operated private buses that can carry more than 12 passengers must be driven by a person with an accredited heavy vehicle endorsement drivers’ licence.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

There are three steps to becoming an accredited bus operator:

• obtaining a driver’s certificate
• adding a heavy vehicle endorsement to your licence
• submitting an application for accreditation to Public Transport Safety Victoria.

For further information and a list of suggested guidelines, click here.

A private bus service operated by a school is used to exclusively transport students and teachers to and from school activities. Private buses are not to be used to transport the general public, nor can they be hired by others, used for commercial use or lent out for a fee. It is important to note that a private bus can not be used to convey students to and from their home and school on a regular basis.

Regulations regarding a school’s private bus differ depending on the size of the bus. Schools operating small buses with up to 12 seats (including the driver) can do so with a current Victorian non-probationary driver’s licence. Buses with more than 12 seats must only be driven by accredited persons who hold both a driver’s certificate and a light, medium or heavy rigid licence endorsement. Note that small buses of up to 12 seats must also be licensed with the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

What are the consequences if you don’t comply?

Non-compliance may result is penalties and loss of accreditation.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Independent Schools Victoria documents:

Bus Accreditation Guidelines (PDF)

Other links:

Public Transport Safety Victoria
Ph. (03) 9655 8949
Public Transport Safety Victoria

Department of Infrastructure
Ph. (03) 9655 6666
transport.safety@doi.vic.gov.au

DOI: Bus Operator Accreditation Manual (PDF)

DOI: Commercial Passenger Vehicle Driver’s Certificate

DOI: Application for a Certificate to Drive a Commercial Passenger Vehicle/Private Bus  

DOI: Consent to Check and Release National Police Check (only name check required)

DOI: Health Assessment for Driver of Commercial Passenger Vehicles and Private Buses

Public Transport Safety Victoria: Public Transport Competition (fees) Regulations 2005 – Bus operator accreditation

VicRoads: Victorian bus and truck driver’s handbook

VicRoads: Heavy vehicles training and test providers

Submitted 8/9/2006, edited 12/18/2007.