JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the results of its 2025 annual school bus inspection program, aimed at ensuring the safety of students across the state. The report was announced by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the patrol.
This year, patrol personnel inspected 11,255 school buses statewide, with the following results:
- Approved upon initial inspection: 10,144
- Found defective: 799
- Placed out-of-service: 312
Buses with defective components must be repaired within 10 days. Those placed out of service require repairs and a reinspection by patrol staff before they can transport students again.
A total of 297 school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2025. This designation allows 6,782 buses from these districts to display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker, signifying full compliance with safety standards.
Local District Results
- Jefferson C-123: 5 buses 60% approved 40% defective 0% out of service
- 60% approved
- 40% defective
- 0% out of service
- Maryville R-II: 18 buses 83.3% approved 11.1% defective 5.6% out of service
- 83.3% approved
- 11.1% defective
- 5.6% out of service
- Nodaway-Holt R-VII: 5 buses 100% approved 0% defective/out of service
- 100% approved
- 0% defective/out of service
- North Nodaway R-VI: 7 buses 57.1% approved 42.9% defective 0% out of service
- 57.1% approved
- 42.9% defective
- 0% out of service
- Northeast Nodaway R-V: 6 buses 50.0% approved 33.3% defective 16.7% out of service
- 50.0% approved
- 33.3% defective
- 16.7% out of service
- South Nodaway R-IV: 8 buses 62.5% approved 25.0% defective 12.5% out of service
- 62.5% approved
- 25.0% defective
- 12.5% out of service
- West Nodaway R-I: 5 buses 60.0% approved 20.0% defective 20.0% out of service
- 60.0% approved
- 20.0% defective
- 20.0% out of service
The Highway Patrol emphasizes the importance of ongoing maintenance and collaboration between school districts and state inspectors to keep student transportation safe and reliable.