Ride Smart Ohio

Join Our Team of Outstanding Drivers!

Introducing Ride Smart Ohio, a student-focused travel solution for Ohio School Districts. This program assists with the driver shortage in Ohio and provides safe, reliable transportation for children who are not on regular bus routes or have unique or special transportation needs.

Students need caring, compassionate drivers to access their educational opportunities. As a Ride Smart Ohio driver, you can provide safe transportation for students on your usual route to work or school. You might be the one person today who makes a difference for a child!

Driver Qualifications

The following qualifications are based on the Ohio Pre-Service Driver Training Program for Student Transportation for Vehicles Other Than School Buses. A complete version can be found here.

21 years or older with at least 4 years of driving experience
Valid driver’s license
Pass annual physical examination
Satisfactory criminal background report
Provide proof of insurance (the entirety of the drive will be covered by RideSmartOhio insurance)
Complete 4 hour van driver training requirements per Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Complete 2-hours of annual in-service training
RideSmart will complete a semi-annual driver record checks. Drivers with any of the following would be disqualified:
- More than six points during the past two years
- A conviction of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance during the past ten years.
- Two (or more) serious traffic violations as defined by Ohio Revised Code
- Any railroad crossing violation during the past year (by conviction, video, or report from railroad official)

Vehicle Requirements

- The vehicle is constructed from the factory to carry nine or fewer passengers (RideSmart Ohio does not permit students to ride in the front seat)
- A qualified mechanic must inspect the vehicle no less than two times per year
- Driver is responsible for completing a daily pre-trip inspection of the vehicle before each drive
- Vehicles less than 10 years old are preferred

Ride Smart will provide:

- Safety equipment including fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, body fluid cleanup kit, fuses, spare fuses (if applicable), emergency reflectors
- The vehicle must have a rooftop sign marked “School Transportation”
- RideSmart Ohio magnet on the side of the vehicle
- Insurance that covers the entirety of the trip while the student is in the car
- Two-way cameras that records front-facing and inside the vehicle.

Apply now

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