Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2023 annual school bus inspection program.

Missouri’s 2023 school bus inspection results are as follows:

School buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection -- 9,995
School buses rated as “defective” upon initial inspection -- 1,088
School buses rated as “out-of-service” upon initial inspection – 381

Over 95% of the Kearney School District’s buses were rated as approved in this year’s inspections.

Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require correction of the component(s), and reinspection and a return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers.

A total of 256 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence award for 2023. During the 2023-2024 school year, 4,769 buses in these award-winning fleets are eligible to display the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence sticker in the lower corner of the first window on the passenger entry side of the bus.

“Everyone wants to keep our children safe as they travel to and from school. To that end, the Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel, in partnership with pupil transportation professionals statewide, inspected 11,464 school buses in accordance with Missouri revised state statutes,” said Colonel Olson.

Missouri school bus inspection results are a matter of public record. Individual school district results for 2023 are available HERE .

School bus inspection criteria, including Missouri State Highway Patrol out-of-service criteria are available HERE .

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story