NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

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June 30, 2026

School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test." — Bus drivers from all across North America showcased their skills and knowledge in operating a school bus during NSTA's 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition.
Credit:
Maritza Valentin/School Bus Fleet

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Marking its 52nd annual competition, the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) hosted its School Bus Driver International Safety Competition (SBDISC) on June 27-28, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Two competitors returned to the winner's circle in 2026, with Brian Rickmann of Beaverton School District repeating as both the Transit Bus (Type D) winner and Bill Loshbough Grand Champion, while Betty Nelson of Dean Transportation earned back-to-back Conventional Bus (Type C) championships.

Hays CISD's transportation facility in Uhland, Texas, once again served as the host site for the competition. NSTA announced in 2023 that the facility would become the competition's permanent home.

Buses lined up at the starting line during NSTA's 2026 Roadeo. — Drivers completed a written knowledge test and navigated a driving course to assess precision, safety, and vehicle-handling skills.
Credit:
Maritza Valentin

The SBDISC gives school bus drivers from across the United States and Canada the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, driving skills, and professionalism while competing for an international title. To qualify, drivers must win or place in a state or provincial competition in their designated school bus category during the previous year. Competitors must enter the same bus class in which they qualified.

Drivers completed a written knowledge test before navigating a challenging driving course designed to assess precision, safety, and vehicle-handling skills. Contestants competed in one of three school bus categories based on vehicle type.

The highest scores in each category determined the winners, while the driver with the highest overall score received the Bill Loshbough Grand Champion Award.

The following winners were recognized June 28 during the NSTA Safety Competition Driver's Awards Banquet at the Austin Marriott Downtown.

Small Bus (Type A)

First Place: James Tiensvold, Dickson County School District – Tennessee
Second Place: Betsy Grove, Dickson County Board of Education – Tennessee
Third Place: Kimberly Doyle, Southland Transportation Ltd. – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Conventional Bus (Type C)

First Place: Betty Nelson, Dean Transportation – Michigan
Second Place: DanHill Marantal, Plano ISD – Texas
Third Place: Stephanie Johns, Auburn Washburn USD 437 – Kansas

Transit Bus (Type D)

First Place: Brian Rickmann, Beaverton School District – Oregon
Second Place: James Hethcock, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD – Texas
Third Place: Kevin Beck, Salem-Keizer Public School District – Oregon

Bill Loshbough Grand Champion Award

Brian Rickmann, Beaverton School District – Oregon

Topics:safety competition/roadeo school buses NSTA Bus Safety Awards Safety

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