Student transportation in Vermont: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Vermont transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated November 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the Vermont Agency of Education before you act on them.
How does Vermont's transportation aid work?
The grant equals 50% of allowable transportation expenditures. The statewide total is capped at $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1997, increased each year by a state and local government price index, and each grant is reduced proportionally when claims run over. The Agency of Education reports $25,600,000 available this year, or $26,100,000 with extraordinary aid. Clear cost records by route help your claim reflect the work your buses do.
Sources: 16 V.S.A. 4016 and Vermont Agency of Education, Act 73 transportation report
Which costs count as allowable?
Allowable costs cover transporting students to and from school for regular classroom services. They don't include trips for curricular activities off school grounds or cocurricular activities.
Source: 16 V.S.A. 4016
What is extraordinary transportation aid?
A district or supervisory union can apply for extra aid for costs caused by geography or other conditions, such as sending students out of district because the district doesn't run a public school.
Source: 16 V.S.A. 4016
How is transportation organized in Vermont?
Vermont has 119 districts in 52 supervisory unions and supervisory districts, and transportation aid is allocated to each one based on the allowable costs it submits. Several supervisory unions reported year-over-year cost increases of 20% to 35%.
Source: Vermont Agency of Education, Act 73 transportation report
What does it take to drive a school bus in Vermont?
Drivers add a school bus endorsement to their CDL. That means attending a Vermont school bus clinic, passing knowledge, vision and skill tests and submitting a medical form.
Source: Vermont DMV, commercial driver's license
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