New Jersey Audit Finds Over 100 School Bus Companies Missed Driver Safety Certification Deadline

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON, N.J. — A review by the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) has revealed ongoing issues with school bus safety compliance, with more than 100 bus companies failing to meet the August 31, 2024 deadline for certifying their drivers’ qualifications.

The annual certification requires companies to confirm that school bus drivers are properly licensed and have passed criminal background checks before transporting students.

???? Widespread Late Compliance

When the 2024–2025 school year began in September, over 100 school bus companies had not submitted their driver fitness certifications. While most eventually provided the paperwork — often weeks or months late — as of May 2025, two companies still had an “unknown” status in state records.

In a letter to Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer, OSC warned that the delays meant the New Jersey Department of Education had no formal assurance that all bus drivers were fully qualified at the start of the school year.

⚖️ Paperwork Problems, Safety Concerns

While the OSC report emphasized that the findings do not necessarily indicate unqualified drivers were on the road, the lack of timely certification raises questions about oversight and student safety.

The audit did note progress compared to last year, when roughly 300 companies missed the deadline.

???? Annual Certification Deadline

The driver safety certification must be submitted by August 31 each year. The OSC review highlights the need for stronger enforcement and timely compliance to ensure the safety of New Jersey’s schoolchildren.

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