In preparation for the upcoming academic year, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has announced the deployment of 10,000 school buses tasked with transporting 279,000 students across the emirate. To facilitate safer and more efficient commutes, the authority has introduced a temporary ban on heavy vehicles and workers’ buses entering Abu Dhabi Island during morning peak hours, specifically from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. This restriction, which excludes logistics support vehicles and cleaning services, will remain in effect starting Monday through Friday, September 4th.
As part of the regulatory framework under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, strict oversight is being applied to school bus operations. No operator is permitted to hire staff as a “School Bus Driver” without a valid permit issued by the department. Applicants for this role must be at least 25 years old and hold a UAE driving license for a minimum of one year. Furthermore, candidates must submit a certificate of good conduct from the Abu Dhabi Police General Command—or an equivalent certified document from their home country if applying from abroad—dated within one month of their application.
The licensing process requires candidates to meet nine specific criteria, including proficiency in Arabic or English and the successful completion of mandatory department training. Applicants must also provide essential documentation, such as a passport copy, residence permit, Emirates ID, and a comprehensive record of traffic violations from the unified traffic system. A rigorous medical assessment is required every two years to ensure the driver is free from 13 specific conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, mental or neurological disorders, vision or hearing impairments, and substance addiction. A follow-up medical examination is also required after every vacation period.
To maintain these standards, permit renewals require the submission of the previous permit, an updated traffic violation record, and current copies of all personal identification documents. The center has underscored that drivers are bound by 13 core operational responsibilities to ensure student welfare. These duties include verifying that no children remain on the bus at the final destination and ensuring students only disembark at designated drop-off points, unless authorized by written school instructions.
Operational safety protocols strictly prohibit drivers from eating, drinking, or using mobile phones while the vehicle is in motion. Smoking is banned inside the bus at all times, and drivers must adhere to a strict speed limit of 100 km/h. Furthermore, drivers are required to utilize the stop arm and hazard lights whenever students are boarding, disembarking, or crossing the road in designated areas. The Integrated Transport Centre continues to urge parents to utilize the SALAMA Parent App to stay informed and support these safety initiatives. The report also notes that confirming the absence of 13 specified conditions: disability, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, mental, neurological, and psychological diseases, kidney, a medical report is needed every two years.