UAE schools tighten school bus rules, cap home wait time at one minute

Dubai: Public and private schools have tightened school transport safety procedures at the start of the second week of the 2026-2027 academic year, introducing 11 mandatory rules for students and parents aimed at strengthening safety and ensuring the smooth operation of school bus services. In circulars sent to parents, schools said the safety of students and the efficiency of school transport are a shared responsibility that begins before the bus arrives at the home and continues until students are safely handed over to authorised guardians. Among the key requirements is a one-minute limit on waiting time outside a student's home. Schools said drivers will wait no longer than one minute to avoid disrupting routes and delaying other students. Parents have been urged to ensure children are ready before the scheduled arrival time and not wait until the bus arrives to prepare for departure. Schools also require a parent or an authorised representative to be present when students board the bus in the morning and when they are collected in the afternoon, particularly for younger pupils. Student pick-up and drop-off are restricted to pre-approved locations registered with the school. Parents wishing to change these locations must notify the school in advance so the necessary arrangements can be made. The schools have also prohibited students from disembarking from the bus after boarding, whether before departure or during the route, and said any change to transport arrangements must be approved before the end of the school day. Students are not permitted to leave school on foot or travel with unauthorised persons. Schools stressed that pupils will only be released in accordance with information recorded in school systems. Students have also been instructed to proceed directly to their buses at the end of the school day and avoid remaining in classrooms, corridors or school grounds, as this can disrupt transport operations and delay departures. As part of onboard safety measures, students must remain seated, wear seat belts throughout the journey, follow the instructions of supervisors and drivers, and avoid behaviour that could distract the driver or compromise safety. The guidelines also require students to help maintain cleanliness on buses and prohibit the carrying of hot drinks, citing the risk of burns or injuries during movement, boarding or disembarkation. School administrations urged parents to contact the school directly if there are issues with transport services or emergency situations and warned against making private arrangements with drivers or bus supervisors. Schools said the measures are designed to eliminate safety risks and ensure that students travel to and from school safely and efficiently.