California Senate Bill 88 (SB 88) went into effect to ensure that all students—especially those with specialized transportation needs—are transported safely, even when they’re not riding a traditional yellow bus.
But as school districts and providers navigate the law, one thing has become clear: the nuances matter.
To help district leaders, transportation directors, and compliance teams make sense of it all, our Senior Director of Compliance, Regulation, and Policy Morgan Judge answers your most frequently asked questions in the short clips below.
Who is exempt from SB 88?
Many schools ask whether parents, volunteers, or coaches fall under SB 88. The answer? It depends.
Watch: Morgan Judge explains who is not required to comply
Key takeaway: Parents, relatives, and educational rights holders are generally exempt. But part-time drivers or volunteers who aren’t explicitly listed may still need to comply—yes, even if they’re just driving kids to a tennis match.
How do districts ensure providers are SB 88 compliant?
The law offers districts flexibility—but that means compliance oversight is your responsibility.
Watch: Morgan Judge on how districts and vendors share oversight
Key takeaway: The California Highway Patrol does not oversee vehicles with 10 passengers or fewer. That means districts and their contracted providers must work together to define what compliance looks like and how it’s audited.
What’s included in driver training under SB 88?
SB 88 goes far beyond just basic defensive driving. EverDriven’s approach offers a comprehensive look at what’s required.
Watch: Morgan Judge on SB 88 driver education content
Driver education includes:
-
- Defensive driving
- Securing wheelchairs and child restraints
- Loading/unloading protocols
- Operations during night or bad weather
- Emergency, accident, and incident handling
- Special accommodations for students with disabilities
What specific safety procedures must be covered?
If you’re creating or evaluating a driver education or training program, you’ll want to use this as your checklist.
Watch: Morgan Judge list out the safety topics covered by law
Covered topics include:
- Pre-trip inspections
- Seat belt use
- Emergency procedures
- Driving under poor visibility
- Disability accommodations
- Safe passenger loading/unloading
Which vehicles are subject to SB 88?
Not all vehicles are created equal in the eyes of the law. SB 88 applies to non-bus vehicles, and the threshold is simple.
Watch: Morgan Judge explain which vehicles SB 88 applies to
Vehicles covered:
- 10 passengers or fewer, including the driver
- Contracted for student transportation
- Not classified as school buses
Vehicles not covered:
- 11+ passengers: Must follow CDL and traditional school bus regulations
Final Thoughts
SB 88 isn’t just about compliance—it’s about delivering safe, reliable, student-centered transportation in every scenario, especially for students with complex needs.
If you’re a school district leader, now’s the time to review your policies, revisit your vendor relationships, and ensure your training programs meet or exceed SB 88’s requirements.
Need help navigating these changes? Reach out—we’re here to support your journey toward compliant, equitable transportation. And learn more about the our specific alternative student transportation services in California.
Morgan Judge is an attorney and regulatory strategist with a rare combination of legislative, legal, and private sector expertise. As Senior Director of Compliance, Regulation, and Policy at EverDriven, she leads government relations and regulatory strategy for a company operating at the intersection of technology, education, and a rapidly evolving policy landscape , overseeing multi-state legislative and compliance initiatives, managing contract lobbyists, and working across teams to advance policies that align with EverDriven’s mission and growth.
Morgan’s foundation in law and policy runs deep. She earned her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and gained early experience through legal clerkships researching civil law, criminal procedure, and local government policy. She then spent six and a half years as a nonpartisan staff member in a state legislature, working her way from enrolling clerk to senior projects and calendar manager. In those roles she developed deep fluency in legislative process, parliamentary procedure, and the mechanics of how policy actually gets made, experience that now gives her a distinctive edge navigating state-level regulatory environments on EverDriven’s behalf.
Morgan joined EverDriven in 2021 and has grown steadily within the organization, moving from Regulatory Compliance Manager to Director to her current Senior Director role. She is a visible voice in the student transportation policy community, regularly engaging at national industry conferences and advocating for regulatory frameworks that reflect the realities of modern, technology-enabled student transportation.
