Back-to-School season: Dubai RTA tightens school bus safety rules for 2025–2026 academic year

Ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, Dubai ’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out enhanced guidelines and safety checks for all school bus operators and drivers, aiming to uphold the highest standards of student health, safety, and comfort. The Back-to-School programme underscores RTA’s commitment to seamless mobility and safeguarding the city’s youngest commuters.

TL;DR:

• Dubai RTA has intensified inspections and issued updated guidelines for school bus operators to ensure strict safety compliance ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year.

• Measures include rigorous driver training, advanced safety technologies on buses, and regular communication with parents to reassure them of student safety.

• All drivers must observe traffic laws in school zones, avoid obstructing other vehicles, and attendants must safely escort students to/from home drop-off points.

Details of RTA’s Back-to-School safety programme
The RTA’s annual Back-to-School programme, aligned with their “World Leader in Seamless and Sustainable Mobility” vision, places health and safety at the centre. Specialised RTA teams have intensified inspections of school buses across Dubai to ensure full adherence to transport regulations and safety protocols. The inspections focus on vehicle condition, driver conduct, and compliance with traffic laws, especially in school zones and residential neighbourhoods.
School bus drivers and attendants undergo intensive, RTA-supervised training sessions designed to prepare them for professional, safe, and supportive engagement with students. These sessions highlight the importance of maintaining order, preventing accidents, and supporting students during their commutes. Operators are urged to ensure their drivers never obstruct traffic, which reduces congestion and further enhances road safety for all road users.

Adoption of modern technologies and parent communication
RTA’s guidelines require school buses to be fitted with state-of-the-art safety technologies, ensuring real-time monitoring and rapid response in case of emergencies. Operators are also expected to proactively communicate with parents, offering reassurances on their children’s daily safety and addressing any concerns. School administrations must ensure students are safely escorted by bus attendants between the bus and the nearest drop-off to their homes, supporting a seamless and secure journey each day.

Dubai’s Back-to-School spirit is amplified through collaborative campaigns led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE) and Dubai Police. In Muhaisnah, these efforts included interactive activities with police mascots, luxury patrol car displays, and fun safety lessons for students and families, reinforcing community awareness in a joyful setting.
Through rigorous inspections, advanced tech adoption, intensive training, and energetic community engagement, authorities are committed to ensuring every child travels to and from school securely and comfortably.

FAQ

• 1. What are Dubai RTA's key safety requirements for school bus operators?

Operators must conduct intensive training for drivers/attendants, equip buses with advanced safety devices, and maintain regular communication with parents about student safety.

• 2. How does RTA enforce compliance with school bus safety regulations?

Specialised RTA teams carry out regular and rigorous inspections of both operators and school buses, monitoring strict adherence to transport laws and safety standards.

• 3. What practices must drivers and bus attendants follow?

Drivers are required to obey traffic laws, especially in school zones and residential areas, avoid obstructing other vehicles, and attendants must escort students to/from the nearest home drop-off point.

• 4. How is student safety communicated to parents?

School bus operators and administrations are urged to proactively assure parents via regular updates and direct communication, providing reassurance about daily commute safety.