Student transportation in New Hampshire: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from New Hampshire transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated November 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the New Hampshire Department of Education before you act on them.
Which New Hampshire students must be bused?
RSA 189:6 requires districts to transport students in grades 1 to 8 who live more than 2 mi from their assigned school. Districts may rely on parents who volunteer to drive.
Source: NH Department of Education, Transportation
How is transportation paid for?
Districts pay for transportation in their own budgets. Local property taxes supplied about 63.5% of school revenue in 2024-25.
Source: NH Fiscal Policy Institute, July 2026
Do private school students get the same service?
Yes. RSA 189:9 gives students at approved private schools through grade 12 the same transportation privileges within their town or district as public school students.
Source: RSA 189:9
What changed for New Hampshire school buses in 2026?
HB 1537, signed in 2026, authorizes stop-arm cameras on school buses.
Source: Citizens Count, HB 1537
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