LAUSD bus drivers prepare vehicles for back-to-school season

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's back-to-school time, which means hundreds of Los Angeles Unified School District buses will be back on the street shuttling kids to their first day of class.

In preparation for the new school year, drivers make sure the bus routes are correct, they test drive them for two days and that there are no problems on the routes.

Sherry Armstrong, a driver trainer with LAUSD, said the buses go through a rigorous and extensive checklist that includes more than 100 items such as the engine compartment, electrical switches and emergency exits.

Armstrong added that drivers go through training programs throughout the year, as well as re-certification every five years.

She said she wants other motorists to remember to always stop when school buses put out the large stop sign because students may be loading on or off the bus and could be crossing the street.

The largest school district in the state will start school sessions on Tuesday.