Ind. Code ch. 20-27-5

in effect

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-0.2 Repealed

As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.332. Repealed by P.L.214-2025, SEC.99.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-1 Nonpublic school exemption

Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to a nonpublic school or to a school bus driver contract executed for a nonpublic school. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-29.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-2 Authority to provide transportation; fees prohibited

Sec. 2. (a) The governing body of a school corporation may provide transportation for students to and from school. (b) If the governing body of a school corporation: (1) provides transportation; or (2) contracts with an educational service center (as defined by IC 20-20.5-1-3) to provide transportation; no fee may be charged to a parent or student for transportation to and from school. However, a fee may be charged for transportation to and from an athletic, a social, or another school sponsored function. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.140-2012, SEC.1; P.L.74-2026, SEC.88.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-3 Transportation responsibilities

Sec. 3. If a school corporation provides transportation for students, the governing body of the school corporation is responsible for obtaining the necessary school buses and school bus drivers. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-4 Employment of school bus driver

Sec. 4. (a) If a school corporation owns the school bus equipment in its entirety, the school corporation may employ a school bus driver on a school year basis in the same manner as other noninstructional employees are employed. (b) A school corporation that hires a school bus driver under this section shall purchase and carry public liability and property damage insurance covering the operation of school bus equipment in compliance with IC 9-25. (c) Sections 5 through 32 of this chapter do not apply to the employment of a school bus driver hired under this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-3.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.184.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-5 Driver furnishing body or chassis of school bus; transportation contract; benefits; transportation agreement with transportation network company; requirements

Sec. 5. (a) If a school bus driver is required to furnish the school bus body or the school bus chassis, or both, the governing body of the school corporation may enter into a transportation contract with the school bus driver under IC 5-22. (b) The transportation contract may include a provision allowing the school bus driver to be eligible for the life and health insurance benefits and other fringe benefits available to other school personnel. (c) The governing body of a school corporation may enter into a transportation agreement with a transportation network company (as defined by IC 8-2.1-17-18) to transport students of the school corporation if the school corporation conducts an expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check as provided under IC 20-26-5-10 of every TNC driver (as defined by IC 8-2.1-17-19) who will transport students of the school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-4.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.185; P.L.216-2021, SEC.18.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-6 Fleet contract; benefits; fleet agreement with transportation network company; requirements

Sec. 6. (a) The governing body of the school corporation may enter into a fleet contract with the fleet contractor under IC 5-22. (b) The fleet contract may include a provision allowing the school bus drivers to be eligible for the life and health insurance benefits and other fringe benefits available to other school personnel. (c) The governing body of a school corporation may enter into a fleet agreement with a transportation network company (as defined by IC 8-2.1-17-18) to transport students of the school corporation if the school corporation conducts an expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check as provided under IC 20-26-5-10 of every TNC driver (as defined by IC 8-2.1-17-19) who will transport students of the school corporation. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-4.1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.186; P.L.216-2021, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-7 Transportation and fleet contract public purchasing requirements

Sec. 7. Transportation and fleet contracts entered into by a school corporation shall be entered into under IC 5-22. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-4.2.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.187.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-8 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.188.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-9 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-6.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.189.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-10 Transportation or fleet contract; public notice

Sec. 10. (a) The governing body shall give notice to the public at least ten (10) days before beginning negotiations or receiving proposals or bids for transportation or fleet contracts. Notice shall be given in the manner provided by IC 5-3-1. The notice must include the following information: (1) That the governing body will negotiate, receive proposals, or receive bids for transportation contracts and fleet contracts on a specified date. (2) That the governing body will execute contracts for the school bus routes of the school corporation. (3) That the specifications for the routes and related information are on file in the office of the governing body. (b) A transportation or fleet contract may not be negotiated until notice has been given under this section. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-7.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.190.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-11 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-8.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.191.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-12 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-9.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.192.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-13 Prerequisites for bidders for transportation contract

Sec. 13. Before a bidder may be awarded a transportation contract, the bidder must meet the following conditions: (1) The bidder must meet the physical requirements prescribed in IC 20-27-8-1 as evidenced by a certificate signed by an Indiana physician who has examined the bidder. (2) The bidder must hold a valid public passenger chauffeur's license or commercial driver's license issued by the bureau of motor vehicles. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-10.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-14 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-11.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.193.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-15 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-12.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.194.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-16 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-13.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.195.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-17 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-13.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.196.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-18 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-14.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.197.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-19 Transportation or fleet contract; sale or assignment

Sec. 19. A transportation or fleet contract entered into under this chapter may not be sold or assigned except by written agreement of both parties to the original contract and by the assignee or purchaser of the contract. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-15.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-20 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-16.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.198.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-21 Transportation contract; substitute driver requirements

Sec. 21. A substitute school bus driver may not operate a school bus unless the substitute school bus driver meets the standards required by IC 20-27-8-1 and has been approved by the governing body or its authorized agent. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-17.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-22 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-18.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.199.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-23 Transportation contract; termination; alcoholic beverage

Sec. 23. A school bus driver may not consume an alcoholic beverage during school hours or while operating a school bus. A transportation contract may be terminated without hearing upon presentation of reliable evidence that a school bus driver has consumed an alcoholic beverage: (1) during school hours; (2) while operating a school bus; or (3) while performing the school bus driver's duties. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-19.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-24 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-21.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.200.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-25 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-22.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.201.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-26 Fleet contract; school bus driver provisions

Sec. 26. (a) All school bus drivers employed by the fleet contractor must meet the physical, moral, and license standards prescribed in IC 20-27-8. (b) School bus drivers employed by a fleet contractor shall attend the annual safety meeting for school bus drivers sponsored by the committee and the state police department in accordance with IC 20-27-8-9. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-22.1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.202.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-27 Transportation or fleet contract; cancellation; purchase of equipment

Sec. 27. If a transportation or fleet contract is canceled by a governing body under this chapter, the governing body may purchase the school bus equipment owned by the school bus driver or fleet contractor and used under the transportation contract. The purchase price is the fair market value of the equipment as determined by agreement of the governing body and the school bus driver or fleet contractor. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-23.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-28 Transportation or fleet contract; bond

Sec. 28. A school bus driver or fleet contractor operating a transportation or fleet contract shall furnish a surety bond conditioned on faithful performance of the contract. The governing body shall specify the amount of bond required. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-24.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-29 Common carrier contract; generally

Sec. 29. A governing body may enter into a contract for student transportation with a regular route common carrier that operates under the jurisdiction of the department of state revenue. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-25.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-30 Common carrier contract; provisions

Sec. 30. Each common carrier contract made under section 29 of this chapter must provide the following: (1) The common carrier is solely responsible for the employment, physical condition, and conduct of every school bus driver employed by the carrier. (2) The carrier must submit a certificate to the governing body showing that any school bus driver used in performing the contract meets the physical standards required by IC 20-27-8-1(a)(7). [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-26.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-2009, SEC.123.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-31 Common carrier contract; exemption from physical examination

Sec. 31. When a school bus driver is employed by a common carrier to assist in performing a common carrier contract made under section 29 of this chapter, the school bus driver is exempt from mandatory physical examinations required under this article, except to the extent that examination may be necessary for a common carrier to comply with section 30(2) of this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-27.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-32 Common carrier contract; exemption from requirements

Sec. 32. A bus operated under a common carrier contract is not required to be constructed, equipped, or painted as specified under this article or the rules of the committee unless the bus: (1) is operated exclusively for the transportation of students to and from school; or (2) must be operated more than three (3) miles outside the corporation limit of a city or town in order to perform the contract. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-2-28.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 20-27-5-33 Violation

Sec. 33. A person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly violates this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-9.1-5-22(a).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.231-2005, SEC.36.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026