Questions to Ask a School Transport Operator Before You Sign

A school transport contract is a promise that someone will get your child to school and home again, every school day, for months. Before you sign with any school transport operator, take a few minutes to ask the questions below. Write the answers down, because an honest operator will be happy to confirm them in writing.

Questions about licensing and compliance

1. Which operating licence covers this route? Ask to see it, and note who issued it and whether it is current.
2. Do all your drivers hold a valid PrDP? Ask about the permit category and expiry dates, and what happens if a permit lapses.
3. When was each vehicle last tested for roadworthiness? The certificate and licence disc should be current for the vehicle that will carry your child.
4. What insurance covers the passengers, and will you confirm that in writing?

Questions about drivers

5. Who will drive my child? Ask whether it will be the same driver every day, and who covers when they are away.
6. What checks do you run on drivers? Ask what the background checks include and how often they are repeated.
7. What is your policy if a child is not at the pick-up point? The answer should be clear and consistent, not improvised.

Questions about vehicles and safety

8. Is there a working seatbelt for every learner, and do you ever carry more learners than there are belts?
9. What safety equipment is on board? A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher are the basics.
10. What is your plan for a breakdown or an accident? You want to know who is contacted, how quickly, and what happens to the children in the meantime.

Questions about the route and timing

11. What are the exact pick-up and drop-off times, and how long will my child be on the vehicle?
12. How many other learners are on the route, and which schools do they attend?
13. What happens when there is heavy traffic, roadworks or load shedding? Delays are a fact of life in Pretoria, so ask how they are communicated.

Questions about communication

14. Who do I call or WhatsApp when something changes? You want a direct line, not a switchboard.
15. How much notice do you need for an absence, an early collection, a new address or a second child joining the route?

Questions about money and the contract

16. What exactly does the price cover, and is it charged per term, per month or per trip?
17. How are school holidays, public holidays and exam periods billed?
18. How do I stop the service, and what notice is required? Ask whether any part of a payment is refundable.
19. Can I take the contract home and read it first? Be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot.
20. How will I receive invoices and proof of payment? A clear paper trail protects you and the operator.

Red flags worth noticing

• Reluctance to show licences, permits or the vehicle.
• Vague answers about seatbelts or how many children travel at a time.
• Pressure to pay cash or to sign immediately.
• No direct contact number for your route.

None of these on their own proves a problem, but together they are a reason to keep looking.

Where to go from here

Our school transport page sets out how we run daily routes in Pretoria, and our parent's checklist for scholar transport covers the same ground from a parent's point of view. If you would like us to answer these questions for your route, request a school transport quote and we will be glad to.