Students Risk Losing School Bus Over Safety Rules

Students in public schools across Saudi Arabia have been warned they could be barred from the Ministry of Education school transport service if they break newly tightened safety and conduct rules, with the annual registration fee not refunded in such cases.

Under the updated regulations, effective for the 2026–2027 academic year, a student who violates the rules may face temporary suspension from the bus service, or full deprivation of transport for the entire academic year in which the violation occurred, depending on how serious or repeated the breach is.

The standard registration fee for the public school bus service is SR 200 The Ministry has made clear that this fee will not be refunded if a student is suspended or loses the service because of a violation.

What students must do

The rules focus on everyday safety habits: waiting in designated areas, boarding and getting off in an orderly manner, sitting in assigned seats and wearing seatbelts for the whole trip, and following the driver's instructions. Students must not lean any part of their body out of windows or doors, bring dangerous items on board, or damage the bus or other passengers' belongings.

They are also asked to tell the driver immediately if they board the wrong bus or miss their stop, to make sure the bus has fully stopped before getting off, and to avoid crossing directly in front of it — waiting until the bus moves away and the road is clear. In emergencies, students should follow the driver, use emergency exits if needed, and evacuate calmly.

The measures are part of a wider national effort to tighten educational transport safety, coordinated between the Ministry of Education and the transport regulator, including updated tables of violations and penalties for operators. For families, the message is direct: safe behaviour on the bus is now tied to keeping the service — and the SR 200 fee — for the year.

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