Michigan parents can ease school bus worries by scanning a QR code

In Michigan, finding out the safety history of a school bus is as easy as scanning a QR code.

MICHIGAN—As the school year kicks off again, many parents are likely grappling with the familiar mix of excitement and anxiety of sending their kids off on that big yellow school bus.

According to the Michigan State Police, Michigan has approximately 17,000 vehicles that transport more than 800,000 children over 10 million miles annually.

Worrying about whether that bus is safe to operate can weigh heavily on a parent’s mind. But Michigan parents have a tool at their fingertips—a quick scan of a QR code that provides instant access to their child’s school bus safety history.

Michigan’s School Bus Inspection Program requires all public, private, denominational, parochial, charter school, and public-school academy vehicles taking children to or from school or school-related events by law to be inspected annually by an MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division member.

The inspection is comprehensive and covers many things, from a bus’ brakes to its electrical system and steering. The program grades buses on a “green,” “yelllow,“ and “red“ system. A “green“ tagged bus is considered safe, while a “yellow“ tagged bus is considered to be in unsatisfactory condition but still safe for operation. “Yellow“ tagged school buses are required by law to be repaired within 60 days of the original inspection date.

A “red“ tagged bus must have all its red tag items fixed before returning to service.

Once a bus passes inspection, a bright green sticker showing the MSP shield and school calendar year is placed on the front windshield. Inspection results are then available to anyone by scanning the QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus.

“Anyone with a smart phone can scan a QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus,“ said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Every parent or guardian has instant access to the condition of the vehicle transporting your student.”

Inspection and tagging criteria are available here. Inspection results for public schools throughout Michigan can be found here.