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. The summer Beginner classes (early June) are held during the daytime and run for three days (Tues, Wed & Thurs) beginning promptly at 8:00 AM. Beginning School Bus Driver classes for the 2025/26 school years 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 2025-2026 CLASSES ~

August 25, 26, 28, September 2, 4 2025 (9:30 am - 1:06 pm) - enrolling now - @ KCC

October 7, 8, 9, 14, 16 2025 (6:00 pm - 9:36 pm) - enrolling July 9, 2025 - @ KCC

November 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 2025(9:30 am - 1:06 pm) - enrolling August 6, 2025 - @ KCC

December 9, 10, 11, 16, 18 2025 (9:30 am - 1:06 pm) - enrolling September 10, 2025 - @ ECC

January 13, 14, 15, 20, 22 2026 (9:30 am - 1:06 pm - enrolling October 15, 2025 - ZOOM

March 3, 4, 5, 10, 12 2026 (6:00 pm - 9:36 pm) - enrolling December 12, 2025 - @ KCC

April 13, 14, 15, 20, 22 2026 (9:30 am - 1:06 pm) - enrolling January 13, 2026 - @ ECC

June 2, 3, 4 2026 (8:00 am - 2:30 pm) - enrolling March 4, 2026 - @ KCC

LOCATIONS ~

KCC (Kent ISD Conference Center) ~ 1633 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 ~ Parking lot #3A

ECC (Early Childhood Center at Lincoln Campus) ~ 864 Crahen Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 ~ Parking lot #6

CONTINUING SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING CLASSES

All current Continuing (green) cards will expire on 9/30/25.

All classes run 8:00 am - 2:30 pm with a 1/2 hour lunch (lunch is not provided by Kent ISD).

Please sign up for a 6 hour class at this link...https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8SNM83z3iO3KDs9UUo96gVDhwbFVZ1paPyCmjvPeo32Gq9A/viewform?usp=dialog

Minimum enrollment of 20 drivers. If we don't have 20 drivers for a class, the class will be cancelled and you will need to select a new class.

TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS

All current Supervisor (salmon) cards will expire on 9/30/26.

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