Lorraine Williamson
During a five-day campaign in January, nearly 300 school buses in Spain per day were reported for breaching transport regulations, according to the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). From 20 to 24 January, officers inspected 3,190 vehicles, filing 2,756 reports against 1,441 of them—meaning 45.1% of all inspected buses faced sanctions.
More than half of these violations, 54%, were due to administrative issues. The most common infractions included operating without the required special authorisation for school transport (822 cases) and lacking the legally mandated unlimited liability insurance (666 cases).
Drivers test positive for alcohol and drugs
The campaign also uncovered safety concerns among drivers. Three school bus drivers tested positive in preventive alcohol controls, while six others tested positive for drug use. Additionally, five drivers were sanctioned for exceeding speed limits.
Technical failures and missing safety signage
Beyond administrative issues, technical faults were widespread. Officers identified 150 vehicles with deficiencies in service and emergency doors or their operating mechanisms. Another 24 vehicles were reported for not having an up-to-date Vehicle Technical Inspection (ITV).
Safety signage was also lacking in many cases. A total of 136 buses were missing the mandatory V-10 school transport sign, and 18 vehicles did not have the required emergency signal light.
Supervision and rest violations highlighted
Inspections further revealed 78 drivers failed to have a designated person on board to supervise minors, as required by law. Additionally, 87 drivers were cited for either driving for excessive periods or not taking the necessary rest breaks.
Seat belt compliance mostly positive
On a more positive note, inspections found that only 11 vehicles with seat belts had malfunctioning restraint systems.
No arrests, but significant concerns remain
While no drivers were arrested or charged with crimes against road safety during this campaign, the volume of violations raises concerns about the safety of school transport in Spain.
Also read: Nearly half of school buses inspected by DGT in Spain receive penalties