Who can a school bus driver release a student to?

A school bus driver can release a student only to a parent or any person designated by the parent or the school. This protocol is in place to ensure the safety and security of the students. Parents typically have the authority to designate individuals who are allowed to pick up their children, which helps maintain a controlled and known environment for student release.

This method of restricting release ensures that children are not placed in potentially unsafe situations, such as being released to individuals they do not know or who have not been pre-approved by their guardians. By sticking to this guideline, the bus driver upholds their responsibility to protect the welfare of the students on their bus.

In contrast, options such as releasing a student to a friend, a school counselor, or any adult nearby do not have the same level of assurance regarding safety and parental permission, which is why they are not acceptable according to the rules governing pupil transportation.