Every school day, millions of South African children rely on scholar transport to get to and from school safely. For parents and caregivers, that daily journey is built on trust - trust that the vehicle is roadworthy, that the driver is qualified and that safety comes first.
That trust has come sharply into focus after a series of tragic incidents involving scholar transport, highlighting just how vulnerable children are on South Africas roads. About 3.4 million learners in South Africa rely on some form of arranged scholar transport subsidised or private. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, more than 10 of road fatalities in 2023 involved children younger than 14.
What the law requires from scholar transportSouth African law sets clear requirements for scholar transport drivers and vehicles. While government and other stakeholders continue to work on improving oversight and governance in the sector, parents and caregivers still play an important role in keeping children safe. By asking questions, checking documents and reporting concerns, families can actively contribute to ensuring safe and responsible transport.
