Student transportation in Nebraska: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Nebraska transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated November 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the Nebraska Department of Education before you act on them.
How does Nebraska fund school transportation?
Transportation sits inside TEEOSA, Nebraska's state aid formula, as a transportation allowance in each district's formula needs. For 2026-27 aid the Nebraska Department of Education uses the lesser of 2 amounts. The first is the district's actual regular transportation costs from its 2024/25 Annual Financial Report. The second is route miles from its 2024/25 Pupil Transportation Report x 0.725 x 400%, plus in-lieu-of-transportation payments. Accurate route miles each year help the allowance reflect the routes your team runs.
Source: Nebraska Department of Education, Certification of 2026/27 State Aid
Which districts receive aid through TEEOSA?
TEEOSA subtracts a district's formula resources, which include local property tax capacity, from its formula needs. The difference is equalization aid. The Legislature's research office reports that 50 of Nebraska's 245 K-12 districts received equalization aid in 2025-26.
Source: Nebraska Legislative Research Office, TEEOSA brief
Which students qualify for free transportation?
Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-611 entitles students to free transportation when they live more than 4 mi from their school, measured by the shortest route that must be traveled by motor vehicle. The same distance test applies to elementary and secondary students in the cases the statute lists. No student is exempt from attendance because of distance. Stop locations and distance data in 1 place make it easier to show which students qualify.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-611
How do in-lieu-of-transportation payments work?
A district can pay the parent or guardian of a qualifying student a transportation allowance instead of providing the ride. Under 79-611 it equals 285% of the state mileage rate for each mile driven, on each day of attendance, beyond 3 mi one way. When the district provides part of the ride, the allowance covers the distance beyond 3 mi from the pickup or drop-off point.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-611
What does it take to drive a school bus in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Department of Education requires drivers to be at least 18 and to have held a license for 2 years. Drivers complete Level I certification, which is valid for 5 years, then a Level II refresher every 5 years. Every driver also completes a 2-hr in-service before school starts each year, and the medical exam is valid for 2 years unless the examiner sets a shorter time.
Sources: Nebraska Department of Education, driver training and requirements to maintain qualified driver status
Who trains Nebraska school bus drivers?
The Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney coordinates all Level I and Level II courses. Classes run throughout the year at locations across Nebraska and online.
Sources: Nebraska Department of Education, driver training and Nebraska Safety Center, pupil transportation
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