New transport policy in Abu Dhabi schools focuses on safety and accountability

New transport policy in Abu Dhabi schools focuses on safety and accountability

24 Sep 2025

The Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) in Abu Dhabi has rolled out a new transport policy for private schools aimed at improving child safety, supervision, and transport management. Parents, schools, and students are now expected to comply with these updated regulations to ensure smooth pick-up and drop-off procedures.

• Students under 15 are no longer allowed to travel to or from school without an accompanying adult.
• This rule applies to walking, private cars, taxis, or ride-hailing services – no exceptions are allowed, even for students living near the school.
• Schools are required to supervise students up to 45 minutes before classes start and 90 minutes after they end.
• Outside these time windows, parents are responsible for their child’s safety.

• Students under 15 are no longer allowed to travel to or from school without an accompanying adult.
• This rule applies to walking, private cars, taxis, or ride-hailing services – no exceptions are allowed, even for students living near the school.
• Schools are required to supervise students up to 45 minutes before classes start and 90 minutes after they end.
• Outside these time windows, parents are responsible for their child’s safety.

• Students in Cycle 3 (Grades 9–12, typically ages 14–17) may travel independently using bicycles, scooters, or other private means.
• Parents must sign a consent form acknowledging that the school bears no responsibility once students leave campus using non-school transport.

• School buses are for students only and cannot be used to transport others.
• Field trips may use tourist buses but only if they meet all safety requirements, including seat belts, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
• The maximum bus journey time is capped at 60 minutes from the first pick-up to the final drop-off.

• Bus drivers and supervisors must hold valid Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) permits.
• A bus supervisor is mandatory for students under 11, and only female supervisors should be assigned unless the bus has older male students.
• Schools must have trained staff to manage traffic during peak hours and maintain emergency communication plans with parents.

• Schools must verify the identity of anyone collecting a child and keep records of all pick-ups and drop-offs.
• Round-the-clock security guards must be stationed at school entrances with logs of all visitors.
• Parents must notify schools in advance about any changes to the person authorized to pick up the child.

• Bus fees are regulated under the ITC School Bus Fee Framework and must be approved by ADEK.
• Any exceptional fee increases require prior coordination with ITC before approval.

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