Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has released the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2025 annual school bus inspection program.
A total of 11,255 school buses were inspected across Missouri. The initial inspection results are as follows:
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10,144 school buses rated as “approved”
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799 school buses rated as “defective”
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312 school buses rated as “out-of-service”
Buses identified with defective components are required to be repaired within 10 days. Those placed out of service must have the necessary components corrected, undergo reinspection, and be cleared by Patrol personnel before resuming the transportation of passengers.
A total of 297 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence award for 2025. During the 2024–2025 school year, 6,782 buses within those fleets are eligible to display the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence sticker. The sticker is applied to the lower corner of the first window on the passenger entry side of the bus.
“Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel, with the cooperation of pupil transportation professionals, completed the successful inspection of 11,255 school buses in accordance with Missouri revised state statutes,” said Colonel Turner. “These efforts help the Patrol, Missouri schools, and private pupil transportation companies ensure schoolchildren are safe while they travel on school buses.”
The results of Missouri school bus inspections are public records. Individual 2025 district results can be viewed at this link.
School bus inspection criteria and out-of-service guidelines are accessible at this link.
(School bus photo licensed via Envato Elements)
