June 4th, 2026 Local News
Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Driver and Vehicle Safety Division has completed its annual school bus inspection program for 2026, examining more than 11,000 school buses across the state.
According to the patrol, 10,239 school buses were rated as approved upon their initial inspection. Another 849 buses were identified as defective and require repairs within 10 days, while 283 buses were placed out of service and must be repaired and re-inspected before they can be used to transport passengers.
In addition, 287 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol's Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2026. During the 2025-2026 school year, 6,148 buses in those award-winning fleets qualified to display the Patrol's Total Fleet Excellence sticker.
The annual inspections are conducted to help ensure buses meet state safety standards and provide safe transportation for students throughout Missouri.
Local Performance
Farmington R-VII posted the highest approval rate among the local districts listed, with 97.6 percent of its buses receiving approval during the initial inspection process.
West St. Francois County R-IV achieved a 93.8 percent approval rate, while Central R-III in Park Hills recorded a 91.3 percent approval rate.
North St. Francois County R-I had 86.9 percent of its fleet approved during the initial inspection. The district also reported one bus, or 2.6 percent of its fleet, being placed out of service pending repairs and reinspection.
Bismarck R-V reported an 85.7 percent approval rate, with one bus identified as defective and requiring repairs.
Statewide, approximately 90 percent of Missouri's school buses were approved during their initial inspections, demonstrating continued efforts by school districts and transportation departments to maintain safe student transportation across the state.
Buses identified as defective must be repaired within 10 days. Any bus placed out of service cannot transport passengers until repairs are completed and the vehicle successfully passes a follow-up inspection conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.