All school buses in Kentucky public and independent school districts are inspected each month by a Kentucky State Certified School Bus Inspector. School Bus Inspectors must have a minimum of two (2) years of heavy truck or school bus experience, possess a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), and complete training by a certified School Bus Inspector Instructor. Training to become a Certified School Bus Inspector includes eight (8) hours of classroom instruction followed by a hands-on test. If you have questions on how to become a School Bus Inspector, please contact
Carl Meehan at (502) 564-5279 Ext. 4442.
Each year, the Kentucky Department of Education
School Bus Specification Committee meets to make any necessary changes to the school bus specifications. This committee is comprised of Kentucky Department of Education Pupil Transportation Branch staff, Superintendents, Directors of Transportation, School Bus Driver Training Instructors, CDL 3rd Party Examiners, School Bus Inspectors, Technicians and School Bus Drivers.
Upon the completion of the school bus specifications and bid process, school districts are able to purchase the new school buses.
Bus Ordering
Orders for buses are placed electronically and are closely monitored by KDE Pupil Transportation Branch staff until delivery. The bus ordering system opens on October 1st and will go through November 1st for the initial bulk ordering. There is an currently expectation of 6-9 months for construction and delivery of buses ordered. However, due to inventory and workforce shortages in our supply chain, there is not a guaranteed date for delivery. Purchase Authorization must include a list of options for purchase. All options must be purchased by the use of a local district purchase order.
All KISTA financed bus orders must be submitted by November 1st to allow the KDE to approve the bonds. Please ensure all documents are signed and uploaded to complete the order. Ensure your district has contacted Ross, Sinclair & Associates to inform them of the financing request. A completed order only occurs when all documents are received. Delays in documentation will delay your order further.
For questions related to bus ordering, please contact
Carl Meehan via email or telephone at (502) 564-5279 Ext. 4442.
School Bus Inventory
School bus inventory is updated once a year, starting in October and finalized in December. Kentucky public and independent school districts provide the inventory data and must ensure that all Kentucky school buses are listed in KDE's school bus inventory.
View 2022-2023 Kentucky School Bus Inventory
For questions related to bus inventory, please contact Mikala Ferguson via email or telephone at (502) 564-5279 Ext. 4451.