Driver training BSO bus (Dutch market only)

Learn to drive the BSO bus safely and responsibly in traffic. Both the covenant and the insurer require all drivers to attend driver training. These training courses are provided by Stichting Veilig door het Verkeer, the official trainer for BSO bus driver training.

Watch the video below for information about the training and booking process.

The BSO bus does not require a B driver’s license, but each driver must hold a BSO bus certificate.

The driver training

Part 1: Online theory

Online theory covers laws and regulations, insurance, and the covenant. Traffic rules, signs, observation behavior, and safe routes are also covered.
 
At the end of the lessons, you will take an exam. Have you answered 80% of the questions correctly? Then you may start the practical training.

Part 2: Practical training

In the two-hour hands-on training, students will be introduced to driving the BSO bus and become familiar with the vehicle. You will learn, among other things:

  • The operation and control of the BSO bus
  • Accelerating, braking, and speed control
  • Control: steering and direction
  • Safety protocol
  • Determining a safe route (from after-school care to school)
  • Hazard recognition and traffic behavior
  • Learning to recognize and avoid dangerous situations
The practical training is led by a driving instructor from a driving school. These trainers are WRM-certified (licensed to teach driving lessons).
 
The BSO bus training consists of half an hour of online theory and approximately two hours of hands-on training per two trainees.

Part 3: Certificate

After the practical training, the trainer assesses whether you have sufficient traffic awareness to responsibly transport children with the BSO bus. In short, whether you pass or fail the training.
 
Once you have passed all sections, you will receive your certificate by mail within one business day. This is personalized and serves as your ‘driver’s license’ for the BSO bus.

Method of booking

  1. An after-school care center or childcare provider registers for driver training with the foundation through info@veiligdoorhetverkeer.nl

    Please include the following information in the email:

    • At what location should the training take place
    • How many employees do you want to train?
    • Preferences for days, times of day and/or dates?
    • Is there already a BSO bus on site?
  2. The foundation sends the e-learning link to the after-school care center. Students can register and complete the e-learning.
  3. Meanwhile, the foundation seeks an affiliated driving school for the center. Trainer and center are then in direct contact about a date and time for practical training at the childcare center’s location.
  4. When the practical training is completed, the trainer completes a digital form with the result (pass or fail).
  5. Upon passing, the foundation creates a certificate and mails it directly to the student.
  6. After receiving the certificate, a student may drive the BSO bus.
  7. The driving school sends an invoice to childcare center.

For more information on BSO bus driver courses and current prices, visit Veiligdoorhetverkeer.nl.

The training content has been approved in writing by the BSO bus insurer (Steijnborg Assurantiën and Nationale Nederlanden). The covenant parties (the Branch Organizations in Child Care, Child Care Guarantee Fund and the Ministry of IenW) have also been informed.

Policy rule on special mopeds and the covenant

Not all vehicles are allowed on the road. To ensure that all vehicles on public roads are safe, they must meet certain technical admission requirements. In 2020, the BSO bus was admitted to public roads (in the Netherlands) by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management in the vehicle category ‘special moped’.
 
Within this category, a vehicle may have 8 seats or passengers. To transport 10 children, a covenant was concluded between the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and sector organizations for childcare.
 
The agreements apply to ALL BSO bus drivers, not just members of industry associations.

Covenant agreements

10 children may be transported on the BSO bus provided that:

  • Drivers are at least 18 years old.
  • Drivers have successfully completed driver training and can provide proof of this.
  • Each after-school care location maintains a record of safe route usage, maximizing the use of:
    • bike lanes separated from high-speed roads
    • roads with a 30 km/h speed limit
    • intersections equipped with traffic control devices (e.g., traffic lights)

from January 1, 2026: 8 seats instead of 10

On December 3, 2025, we received notice from the Ministry of IenW about an upcoming regulatory change that affects the BSO bus.
 
“The Minister has agreed to proceed with an amendment to the regulations (the Vehicle Regulations). This amendment provides that as of January 1, 2026, all BSO buses, including those currently in use, may have a maximum of 8 seats.”
 
How to implement this in practice is something we are currently researching. The latest news on this can be found in the news section.
Stint BSO bus met kinderen vervoeren

License plate requirement from July 1, 2025

Please note that from July 1, 2025, special mopeds, including the BSO bus, will face a registration requirement. From then on, owners of existing BSO buses will have 12 months to apply for this license plate with RDW. We are in consultation with RDW to make the license plate registration process and requirements as efficient as possible for all parties involved.