Dubai: RTA issues reminder on rules for school buses ahead of new academic year

Just one week ahead of the new academic year, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has called on all school bus operators in the emirate to be fully prepared.

The authority stressed that it is important for operators to strictly comply with all health and safety requirements to ensure a secure and successful learning environment.

School bus operators and administrations are required to maintain safety and provide a comfortable environment for students, supervisors and drivers alike.

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RTA closely and continuously monitors schools and operators to ensure they fulfill safety requirements. This includes inspections of school buses and operators.

The authority listed the requirements and expectations of school bus operators, drivers and bus attendants:

School transport operators must instruct their drivers to strictly comply with traffic regulations, particularly on roads and in areas surrounding schools.

Drivers must not obstruct the flow of other vehicles, in order to reduce congestion and ensure smooth traffic movement.

School transport operators must provide intensive training programmes for drivers and bus attendants, focusing on safe and professional ways of dealing with students. This training is done under RTA's supervision.

Operators must equip buses with essential safety features and measures.

Operators must maintain regular communication with parents to reassure them of their children’s safety during daily commutes.

Drivers must ensure the safety of the students by following safe driving practices.

Bus attendants must ensure that students are escorted to the nearest point to their homes when they are dropped off.

RTA also reminded students that they are required to follow the instructions of bus attendants when boarding and alighting the school bus.

Accident-free day

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior declared August 25, 2025 — the start of the new academic year— as 'A Day Without Accidents'.

In order to incentivise motorists, the ministry has put into place a reward system for those who do not violate any traffic laws on this day. If motorists submit a pledge on the official MOI website, and register no violations recorded on August 25, four black points will be deducted from their driving licences. The deduction will happen electronically by September 15, 2025, eliminating the need to visit service centres.

Since the announcements, motorists have been rushing to sign up for the pledge, taking it as a welcome relief and a good reminder to be more careful about following traffic rules.

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