In preparation for the upcoming academic year, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has finalized plans to deploy 10,000 school buses to transport 279,000 students. To support these operations, the center is encouraging parents to utilize the SALAMA Parent App to monitor school commutes and ensure student safety.
As part of broader traffic management efforts, the authority has implemented a temporary ban on heavy vehicles and workers’ buses entering Abu Dhabi Island during peak morning hours, specifically from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. This restriction, which excludes logistics support vehicles and cleaning services, will be enforced daily from tomorrow, Monday, through Friday, September 4th.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport, which oversees the sector, has issued a strict mandate requiring all school bus operators to employ only individuals holding a valid “School Bus Driver” permit. To qualify for this permit, applicants must be at least 25 years old and have held a UAE driving license for a minimum of one year. Candidates must also submit a certificate of good conduct from the Abu Dhabi Police General Command—or an equivalent certified document from their home country—dated within one month of their application. Additional requirements include proficiency in Arabic or English, completion of mandatory department training, and submission of personal identification documents, including a passport, residency permit, and Emirates ID.
A critical component of the permit process is a medical evaluation, which must be renewed every two years and again following any vacation period. This report must confirm the absence of 13 specific health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, kidney disease, hepatitis, leprosy, vision or hearing impairments, substance addiction, and various mental or neurological disorders. Furthermore, drivers must provide a record of their traffic violations from the unified system. Permit renewals require the submission of the previous permit, updated personal documents, and a current traffic violation history.
Beyond licensing, the center has outlined 13 core responsibilities for drivers to ensure student safety. These mandates include a strict prohibition on using mobile phones, eating, or drinking while operating the vehicle, and a total ban on smoking. Drivers are required to adhere to a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h and must utilize hazard lights and the stop arm when students are boarding, disembarking, or crossing the road. At the end of every route, drivers are obligated to perform a final check to ensure no students remain on the bus, and they are strictly forbidden from dropping off children at locations other than designated points without formal written authorization from the school.
Source: Gulf Today
