With the start of a new school year upon us, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is reminding parents and guardians that they have the ability to check the safety records of all school buses in Michigan.

As part of Michigan’s School Bus Inspection Program, all public, private, denominational, parochial, charter school and public-school academy vehicles taking children to or from school, or school-related events by law must be inspected annually by a member of the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.

“Anyone with a smart phone can scan a QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Every parent or guardian has instant access to the condition of the vehicle transporting your student.”

Once inspected, a bright green sticker showing the MSP shield and school calendar year is placed on the front windshield of the bus. Inspection results are then available to anyone by scanning the QR code displayed on the bus service door where students enter the bus.

There are approximately 17,000 vehicles that transport more than 800,000 school children in excess of 10 million miles annually in the state.