Because student safety is our number one priority, we have established guidelines for the transporting of musical instruments.  WAC 392-145-021-(3) addresses loose items not permitted on buses. To provide a clear understanding we offer the following pictorial to show authorized and unauthorized musical instruments. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Transportation Office at 253.800.5900.

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 window exit.

Authorized Musical Instruments:

• Violins/Violas
• French Horns
• Tenor Saxes
• Trombones
• Bass Clarinets
• Snare Drums
• Flutes
• Oboes
• Clarinets
• Alto Saxes
• Trumpets
• Half Cellos

Unauthorized Musical Instruments:

• Tubas
• Large Drums
• String Basses
• Baritone Horns
• Baritone Saxes
• 3/4 Cellos and Full Cellos
• Guitars
• Bass Guitars

Any instrument placed on the floor must be against the outside (window) wall, as no student should have to climb over an instrument to exit in an emergency. Leg spacing on buses range from 7” to 12” so instruments must either fit on students lap or within the leg space of each seat. Instruments may not exceed height of the bottom of the window ledge, which ranges from 29” to 31”. Remember that emergency exits cannot be blocked.

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.