When it comes to student transportation, safety isn’t optional—it’s the law. Yet many small and midsize transportation providers don't realize that operating vehicles without Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) could put them out of compliance—and expose schools to major legal and financial risks. At Shuttlebee, we’re committed to helping schools and transportation providers navigate regulations, stay compliant, and ultimately keep students safer. Here’s what you need to know about ELDs and why they matter. What is an Electronic Logging Device (ELD)? An Electronic Logging Device (or ELD) is hardware that connects to a vehicle’s engine to automatically record driving time, vehicle movement, engine hours, miles driven, and driver duty status. The goal: to increase accountability for anyone operating commercial vehicles, provide transportation providers insights into the quality of their driver's service and to prevent driver fatigue. ELDs Are Required Under Federal Law The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates that most commercial motor vehicles must be equipped with ELDs to track Hours of Service (HOS). This requirement applies broadly—including student transportation providers operating certain types of vehicles. If your transportation providers are operating vehicles: Weighing over 10,001 pounds, or Designed to transport more than 8 passengers for compensation, then they must comply with ELD rules unless they qualify for specific exemptions (which are rare). Operating without ELDs can result in serious penalties: citations, fines, disqualification from service, and potential legal liability if an accident occurs. Why Schools Should Care When a school contracts with a transportation provider that ignores ELD compliance, it isn’t just the provider at risk—it’s the school’s reputation, liability exposure, and duty of care that are also on the line. Without ELD data: You can’t verify driver hours or detect fatigue risks. You can't defend your decision-making if incidents occur. You could face lawsuits for negligence if the provider is found noncompliant. At Shuttlebee, we require the transportation providers in our network to use safety-compliant technology, including ELDs paired with vehicle telematics. It’s not just about checking a regulatory box—it’s about ensuring every student’s ride is as safe as possible. How Shuttlebee Helps Schools Stay Protected ✅ Vetted Providers: We verify that every transportation provider we work with meets FMCSA standards, including ELD compliance. ✅ Real-Time Monitoring: Our Dispatch Program uses integrated telematics to monitor driving behavior, incidents, and compliance—so you have a complete safety profile for every provider. ✅ Insurance Alignment: We connect safe providers to affordable commercial auto insurance, further reinforcing incentives for strong operational practices.  Final Thought Safety and compliance aren't optional—they're essential. At Shuttlebee, we help schools navigate these complexities with vetted partners, smart oversight, and compliance-first solutions. If you're evaluating transportation options for the next school year, make sure ELD compliance is at the top of your checklist—and know that with Shuttlebee, it already is. 📩 Want to learn more? Contact us today and we’ll show you how to simplify transportation, stay compliant, and protect your students and your school.

For independent schools, reliable transportation isn't just a logistics issue—it’s a matter of trust, reputation, and family satisfaction. When a transportation provider fails to show up or doesn't meet expectations, it can cause a ripple effect of missed classes, stressed families, and emergency administrative work. Yet, many schools don’t have the contract protections or visibility tools in place to prevent these scenarios or respond effectively when they happen. At Shuttlebee, we work with independent schools every day to close these gaps—and two of the most important strategies we recommend are: telematics requirements and liquidated damages clauses . 📡 1. Telematics: Your Real-Time Window into Risk What is telematics? Telematics refers to GPS and sensor-based technology installed in vehicles that can monitor driver behavior, speed, location, and more. Think of it as a safety and accountability dashboard for every trip. Why it matters for schools: Know where your students are—at all times Monitor driver behavior like hard braking, speeding, or aggressive turns Flag compliance violations early before they lead to risk Build a data trail for incident response and parent communication Schools that require telematics see not just better service, but better safety outcomes . Providers are more responsive, and schools are empowered to act quickly if issues arise. 💥 2. Liquidated Damages: A Safety Net When Things Go Wrong Even with the best vetting and oversight, things can go wrong. A driver may cancel last-minute. A vehicle might break down. Without a contingency plan—and a contract clause to back it up— you’re left scrambling . That’s where liquidated damages clauses come in. Why they're essential: They define a pre-agreed penalty if a vendor fails to perform (e.g., doesn’t show up on time or cancels without notice). They help schools recover the cost of activating backup coverage , which Shuttlebee can arrange on-demand. They incentivize vendors to follow through or notify in advance. Without this clause, the burden of emergency coverage falls entirely on your team—along with the financial impact. 🛡️ Smart Contracts Lead to Safer, More Reliable Service Independent schools take pride in offering a high-quality, well-managed experience for families. Transportation should be no exception. By adding telematics requirements and liquidated damages provisions into your transportation agreements, you’re: Building a proactive risk management system Protecting your school from disruption Sending a message to families that student safety and reliability come first 🚀 How Shuttlebee Helps Shuttlebee is a student transportation marketplace and compliance platform that connects independent schools with safety-vetted providers—and supports every step of the contract process. We help you: Identify qualified vendors Add smart contract language Monitor real-time performance Step in with emergency coverage when needed Want help reviewing your current contracts or setting up safer terms for 2025–26? 👉 Contact us to schedule a free consultation Shuttlebee : Smarter, safer student transportation—built for schools like yours.