Does a school bus driver have to wear a seat belt at all times?

In Illinois, school bus drivers are not required to wear seat belts while driving their buses. The design of most school buses includes reinforced structures and compartmentalized seating that offers a level of protection to passengers without the need for seat belts. This safety design allows for safer transportation of children, as the buses can absorb impacts effectively.

While it is always safe and advisable for drivers to wear seat belts in personal vehicles and other types of buses, the regulations for school buses recognize their unique construction and safety features, thereby classifying seat belt use differently. Therefore, indicating that a school bus driver does not need to wear a seat belt at all times aligns with both the state regulations and the operational guidelines for school transportation safety.