Puyallup School District
Transporting Musical Instruments on School Buses
With student safety as our number one priority, Puyallup School District has established guidelines for transporting musical instruments.
In accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC 392-145-021-(3), heavy, sharp, bulky, and/or other articles which may be hazardous in the event of an accident or an emergency stop shall not be transported unsecured in the passenger area of any school bus. Specific attention is directed to items such as . . . large musical instruments.
All musical instruments transported in the passenger area on a school bus must be positioned in such a way that they do not block or obstruct in any way the aisle, stairwell, or emergency exits.
To provide a clear understanding we offer the following list to show authorized and unauthorized musical instruments. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Transportation Office at (253) 841-8775.
Unauthorized Musical Instruments
- Tubas, Euphoniums, Sousaphones
- Large Drums
- String Basses
- Baritone Horns
- Baritone Saxes
- Full-sized Cellos
Authorized Instruments
- Guitars
- Trombones
- Bass Guitars
- Bass Clarinets
- Less than full-sized Cellos
- Snare Drums
- Cellos in soft cases
- Flutes
- Violins/Violas
- Oboes
- French Horns
- Clarinets
- Tenor Saxes
- Alto Saxes
- Trombones
- Trumpets
Keep in mind that emergency exits cannot be blocked, spacing between seats on buses range from 7” to 12”, and that instruments must either fit on the student’s lap or within the leg space between each seat.
Careful attention to these procedures will assure safe transportation for students and their musical instruments. Students are cautioned that failure to abide by these procedures may cause the forfeiture of the privilege to transport their music instruments on a school bus.