What Is Road-e-o

Spring time means annual Regional School Bus Driver Safety Competition time; also known as 

School Bus Road-e-o!

Road-e-o is a School Bus Safety Competition hosted by Puget Sound Driver Trainer Association 121 and held at various sites within our ESD; 35 School Districts and 2 Tribal Compact Schools from King County, Pierce County, & Bainbridge Island are invited to compete in a multi-phase competition which includes a written exam, DOT pre-trip exam, and 13 behind-the-wheel course exercises. Each event is scored by volunteer judges, with 725 possible points in the Basic Education category and 1097 possible points in the Special Education category. 

Top finishers move on to the state competition at WAPT and can further qualify for international competition at NAPT.  

Categories: 

• Basic Bus - (Transit or Conventional) Driver only

• Special Bus - Driver & Aide 

• Rookie - Newly authorized drivers with less one year service, specific date given for each year. 

• Big Bus Team - comprised of four Basic Drivers, you compete individually, and then we combine your total score. Teams must be named in advance. No substitutions are allowed. 

• Team Spirit - Decorate a small bus, your camp, your team, follow the theme!

Competition rules are laid out in the WAPT Coemption Manual and some additional rules listed in our General Information page. All decisions of the chair person are final, there is no grievance procedure. 

PSDTA is a not-for-profit organization, comprised of WA State Certified School Bus Driver Trainers. Independently we hire, train, license, and authorize our district's School Bus Drivers. Collectively, our goal and function is to promote safety and skill within our region among both our Certified School Bus Driver Trainers and School Bus Drivers alike.  

Road-e-o is a skill building competition for drivers, and also a fundraising event for PSDTA. The proceeds from funds collected are used with the sole purpose of enhancing School Bus Driver safety; our biggest expense being a scholarship to the Driver Instructor Training Course in Vancouver WA, hosted by ESD 112. Through an application process, one local school bus driver is selected to attend DITC, becoming a Certified Trainer in WA State and helping with career advancement in a field we all love. 

Road-e-o would not be possible without the generous support of our school districts, drivers, trainers, vendors, and community, like you!

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