Transportation Services

Bus Driver Training Agency

Kent ISD operates a Transportation Training Agency certified by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to provide state mandated bus driver certification classes for public and private schools operating within the Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD), the Ionia County Intermediate School District (ICISD) and the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD).

Bus Driver Safety Education Classes

BEGINNING SCHOOL BUS DRIVER (BSBD) TRAINING

The Beginner class is comprised of 18 hours of instruction. Typically, Beginner classes are offered in the evenings over 5 nights or during the daytime over 5 days (Tues, Wed & Thurs the first week and Tues & Thursday the following week unless otherwise indicated). Training begins promptly at 6:00 PM for evening dates and at 9:30 AM for the day trainings.

Starting with the January 2027 Beginner classes, we will be moving to a blended training model. This will include 12 online hours and six hours (one day) in person at Kent ISD. Once the driver is scheduled for an in person class, Kent ISD will provide the school with access information for the online portal to complete the 12 hour online portion. Drivers will be required to have completed the online portion at least three business days prior to their in person class.

Beginning School Bus Driver classes for the 2026/27 school year are listed below.

Receipt of Enrollment Cards

Once enrolled in a Beginning School Bus Driver Course, a qualified enrollee may be issued a temporary certificate (white card) to drive a school bus. We cannot guarantee that enrollment cards will be processed on a same-day basis. Please allow up to 3 business days to receive enrollment letters and cards in the mail. Please remember that although districts may enroll drivers in any of these classes, enrollment cards cannot be submitted until 90 days prior to the enrolled class date. This temporary driving certificate (white card) is valid for up to 10 days following completion of the beginning bus driver class. Please remind your driver that only ONE white card will be issued. If they do NOT attend these classes or even miss one class, FOR ANY REASON, they will NOT be issued another white card and will not be able to drive after the expiration date on the white card they originally received from Kent ISD.

BEGINNER ENROLLMENT FORM HERE Please download, complete FULLY and send to lynettealtman@kentisd.org as an email attachment.

BEGINNER SCHOOL BUS DRIVER 2026-2027 CLASSES ~

December 8, 9, 10, 15, 17 2026 (ALL IN PERSON) ~ 9:30 am - 1:06 pm ~ Cedar Room* ~ enrolling now

January 21, 2027 ~ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm ~ Thornapple Room

March 10, 2027 ~ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm ~ Cedar Room

April 20, 2027 ~ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm ~ Thornapple Room

June 10, 2027 ~ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm ~ Thornapple Room

LOCATION ~

ESC (Educational Service Center) ~ 2930 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 ~ Parking lot #11

*Cedar Room is limited to 24 drivers.

**CONTINUING SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING CLASSES**

All current Continuing (green) cards will expire on 9/30/27. Continuing classes have not been scheduled yet but will be held in the Summer of 2027.

TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS

All current Supervisor (salmon) cards will expire on 9/30/28. Supervisor cards were sent in the mail on 10/15/2026.

**BRAND NEW TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS**

If you are a brand new supervisor or will become a brand new supervisor, please contact Mark Higgins (contact information below) for new supervisor training information.