Operating A School Bus or Bas Sekolah In Malaysia
Some parents send their children to school. Others cycle to school. Still there are others who walk to school daily. There is a small group of pupils however who go to school by bus. Maybe you may wish to be a “school bus” driver. Like any other jobs, you should possess a few qualities to be a good school bus driver.
One, you have to like the idea of getting up early. Because as you know, school starts quite early. With the present day jam and what not, you have to be an early bird. Besides this, one should also like children. If you have no “rapport” with them, then you’re going to have problems controlling them. You must also have a good rapport with the students’ parents themselves as well.
If you choose to own a medium-sized “bas sekolah” or “school bus”, a Toyota or Datsun would be ideal.
The above, they ferry some 20 – 25 students. Permit to operate a school bus lies with the L.P.K.P. or Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan.
To operate a small school bus, you first would require a bus. You also must posses at least a “D” driving license to be able to drive the vehicle. You should also get a P.S.V. (Public Service Vehicle) badge.
The bus you own, being a public service vehicle like taxis, for example, must be in good condition. It should therefore be sent for examination once in 6 months. Puspakom will be the relevant authorities responsible for the vehicle’s inspection.
Your vehicle should ideally be air-conditioned. Malaysian students and their parents as well are a rather “choosy” lot. They want the best for their children. They do not mind paying more.
As mentioned earlier, your school bus being service orientated, should posses the basic amenities such as first aid box and safety items such as fire extinguishers.
One other item normally overlooked by most other school buses is the “triangular red-coloured warning sign” or the “tanda amaran segi tiga”. Ensure that these 2 items are in your vehicle’s possession.
Before I forget, there is one other thing that needs to be mentioned. The insurance for the bus and the school children is meant to ferry or carry.
Being an entrepreneur interested in this business, you would have little problem dealing with issue. Should you have any other problems facing you, do feel free to drop this blog a line, and yours sincerely would be ever ready to assist.
Hi, I am keen to to know more as I am thinking of opening a business in this. I don’t intend to drive the bus but will look for bus driver. Is that possible? Also, where can I buy a school bus?
Should you possess the capital to buy a bus, by all means you can operate such a business. You can always get a good driver, train him up and carry on with your business. You are advised to get bus drivers in your area and talk to them about this school bus business.
Thanks for Your sharing.
1) What are the penalty on owner of private-vehicle who illegal school ferry school children?
2) There are so many of them, yet, the school children are not protected by insurance, am I correct?
Using private vehicle to be school bus is not encouraged. It has no insurance coverage. If caught by the authorities, the fine is very high. Your vehicle can also be confiscated.
Dear Cikgu,
Great article here. Thanks for sharing this.
May I know, other than LPKP, and Puspakom, are there any other procedures for registration?
For info, I’m planning to convert a van into a mini school bus. Any special requirements? And is it compulsory to color it yellow?
Thanks cikgu
First, apply for permission to run bas sekolah business from Putrajaya. Mini school buses have to be compulsory printed in yellow.
Thanks very much!
Really good article. Thanks cikgu. I run a tuition centre & intend to offer transport services. How do I go about the registration of the vehicle (I intend to buy a 14 seater van & hire a driver). What category do I register it under ( bas sekolah?).. I intend to paint and stencil the van to match my centre. Is that allowed? Do I need to have a PSV license?
Your decision to get a 14 sitter as bas sekolah is a good proposal. Registering it as a bas sekolah, you’ll have to paint it canary yellow. Should you decide to use your tuition centre’s logo/colour, then you have to register the van as a private used vehicle. Ideally, it’s better always to have a PSV badge in instances such as yours. Do not forget the necessary insurance too.
Thanks so much.. That was really helpful :-)
Dear Mr. Yap,
If the car stops at the yellow line correctly in slope test and after balancing it,it goes back and slips and stops before the yellow line,is it accepted or concerned as fail?if accepted,what can I do to do the slope?Still pulling the handbrake,balancing the car and pushing the accelator or other things to do??:-/
As long as the car rolls back half a tyre, it is considered a failure. Assuming that the car rolls back slightly and is allowed, in such situation, step more petrol and release the clutch slightly faster to make the car shoot up the slope quickly. But do remember, you’ll have to control the car well to avoid any unforeseen circumstances occurring.
Hello Mr. Yap,
Finally I passed the test,special thanks for you because of your good posts.
Dear Cikgu,
I have a PSV License, I am able to drive a bas persian and mini buses and able to pick up pessanges. I would like to know cikgu, since I am using an Avanza, I would like to pick-up students to tuition centres or schools. What documents should I need. Must I register my Avanza ? Can I Just go ahead like that and directly pick up students with this PSV license. Pls help. As I would like to try this bussiness. Using it a private vehicle
.
Thank you & Regards.
Tu run a school bus, you’ll need a PSV license. Ideally register your Avanza legally with JPJ. Register your business and have all necessary insurance overage. Send your vehicle for Puspakom inspection periodically. Ensure that emergency triangles, medical kits and fire extinguishers are available in your vehicle. I further suggest that you meet with other school bus operator in your vicinity to gather further information about this occupation.
Hai cikgu Yap,I’m from Hyundai bus Malaysia.Now we have mini bus chassis 7 meter and long chassis 11.5 meter suitable for make school bus.The price also attractive until end of this year.If you have any plan to buy a new bus for school bus operating or want to know more information please let me know.TQ
hcvm.com.my
Thank you for providing a valuable information regarding Hyundai buses. Hopefully our readers who are interested to start a school bus service will take special notice.
Ok,TQ.
Dear Cikgu Yap,
Isn’t there a Union or some association limiting the number of school buses around the country? I’m from Penang and wondering if there’s such restriction or we can actually start a biz(personal biz) by obtaining the PSV and Class “D” licenses, JPJ or/and LPKP approval to start transporting school children?
There is an association for school buses. But it’s the individuals that makes the decision. See authorities to get all necessary requirement and regulations.
Cikgu,
Hope that u able to help me in below issue which I facing.
Recently I just purchase a van sekolah , Mazda 15 years wit rm 25k.
Is it expensive.
Second, many minor minor faulty is this normal or anything I can do to ask the seller repair.
Is it still profitable or is there any way of getting more student. As current I have only 6 students.
As I started after school start most student have sch buss already. So I have very less student now. I also get some business from tuition centre but I hope can source other way to increase my student per trip. Any suggestion?
In any business, you have to be patient. Build up your clients gradually. In the long run, I’m sure your business will improve. Getting students from tuition centres is definitely a good idea. Sending students and groups for short trips is another suggestion you could think about. The 15 year old Mazda sounds slightly expensive. Nevertheless, you could discuss it with the seller to assist you with minor repairs.
Dear cikgu,
My husband and i intend to start our own school van services.
My husband is currently driving a tourist bas.
He has a valid driving licence and psv.
My question is:
What is the procedure to do this business?
What is the most suitable and affordable van to purchase
I noticed in your forum above, insurance is needed, where can i purchase them, do i walk in to any agents?
Which division in putrajaya domi approach.
Thankmyou
Your husband already has the basic requirements such as experience, PSV and driving license. There exists in the market currently vehicle from China and Korea that seems to me very suitable to be used as bus sekolah.
I’m not certain, but you are advised to visit Putrajaya to seek all advices you require. If not mistaken, SPAD is in charge of bus sekolah services.
tq cikgu