Plan the safest walking route

• Plan and walk the route before the excursion.
• Choose quieter streets with well-lit, maintained footpaths, and use pedestrian crossings, where available.
• Avoid routes with heavy traffic, poor visibility, or active roadworks to improve student safety.

Talk with students about pedestrian safety

• Choose the safest places to cross the road.
• Use pedestrian crossings and traffic facilities where available.
• Stop, Look, Listen and Think every time they cross the road.
• Hold an adult’s hand where appropriate.
• Walk on the left side of the footpath or nature strip.
• Stay alert and be aware of moving vehicles near driveways and car parks.
• Watch for hazards such as road works and busy roads.

Group management tips

• Ensure adults are positioned at the front and back of the group, with supervision at road crossing points.
• Provide clear group instructions.
• Pause regularly to regroup and reinforce safety messages.
• Conduct regular head counts and closely monitor vulnerable students.
• Keep group size manageable.
• Wear high-visibility vests.
• Carry a route map, emergency contact list and mobile phone.

Use of private vehicles

• Drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt.
• Children under 7 years must be restrained in an approved child restraint or booster seat that is properly fitted and adjusted to the child.
• Children aged 7 years and over who are too small to use a seatbelt should use an approved booster seat or an anchored safety harness. The suggested minimum height for using a seatbelt is 145cm or taller.
• Drivers must ensure each student is securely buckled and the seatbelt is correctly positioned and not twisted.
• Students should be encouraged to use the safety door to enter and exit on the footpath side, where appropriate
• Students should be encouraged to keep noise levels low so the driver is not distracted.

Further information on child seats is available from Transport for NSW

Use of taxis

• By law, all taxi passengers must wear a seatbelt.
• Children aged 4–7 are not legally required to use an approved child restraint in a taxi, however parents and carers may provide one if they wish.

Students as drivers

• Comply with rules for provisional P1 licence or P2 licence
• Follow school policy for students driving to and from a school endorsed activity.
• Instruct passengers to minimise distractions and support the driver by avoiding loud music, phone use, or unsafe behaviour
• Confirm any participation or transport permissions required in excursion permission notes.

Sample consent forms

• Student as driver parent consent form (DOCX 41.96 KB)
• Student as passenger parent consent form (DOCX 39.75 KB)
• Parent/staff use of private vehicle consent form (DOCX 70KB)

Refer to other consent forms available on Variation of routine- Excursions checklists forms and templates

General guidelines

• If the bus has seatbelts, it is the law to wear one.
• Arrange for the driver to drop students in a safe location, on the same side as the venue or close to a pedestrian crossing.
• Wait until the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross.
• Ask students to:
  • stand back from the kerb when waiting for the bus
  • take seats promptly
  • place their school bag on their lap, under the seat in front of them or between their feet if standing
  • place large items in storage
  • remain seated until the bus has stopped
  • hold on or use handrails when standing or using steps
  • not distract the driver.

Small buses (12 seats or fewer)

• Students must wear the seatbelt provided.
• Students under 7 must use a properly fitted, approved child restraint or booster seat.

Larger buses (more than 12 seats)

• Where possible, hire buses fitted with seatbelts for excursions, especially for long distances.
• Do not exceed the vehicle’s licensed passenger capacity.
• Children aged 4–7 may travel on standard public or school buses without an approved child restraint; however, conduct a risk assessment to determine whether bus travel is appropriate for young children on the planned route and distance.