Don Dutton Agency

Helpful Links

For current legislative, insurance, and employer-compliance updates, visit our New Jersey Insurance Brief.

Back-to-School Fleet Safety Checklist

School transportation companies can use this checklist before fall routes begin, when contracts are reviewed, and ahead of September insurance renewals. Requirements vary by vehicle, contract, school board, and operation, so confirm current requirements with the appropriate agencies and your insurance professionals.

Planning a September renewal? Gather your expiring policy information, driver and vehicle schedules, certificate requirements, loss runs, and bid specifications. Call (732) 249-6346 or email our office to review your coverage and contract limits. Contact us before sending sensitive documents so we can discuss an appropriate way to provide them.

Driver Files and Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs)

☐ Verify each driver's current license, CDL, and required passenger or school-bus endorsements for the assigned vehicle.
☐ Review a current MVR against carrier, company, and contract standards.
☐ Confirm medical qualifications, criminal-history approvals, fingerprinting, and drug-and-alcohol program records when applicable.
☐ Make sure driver and aide rosters agree with required annual certifications and actual route assignments.
☐ Track expiration dates and confirm that substitute drivers meet the same requirements.

Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance Records

☐ Confirm required NJMVC school-vehicle inspections are current. NJDOE states that school vehicles are inspected twice a year: before student transportation begins and thereafter.
☐ Retain completed pre-trip and post-trip inspection records.
☐ Document preventive maintenance, reported defects, completed repairs, and out-of-service decisions.
☐ Check tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, alarms, emergency equipment, and seat belts where equipped.
☐ Match each vehicle's VIN and operating status to the insurance policy schedule.

Accident Procedures and Training Documentation

☐ Keep a written accident and incident procedure, emergency contacts, and an accident-information kit in every vehicle.
☐ Assign responsibility for notifying police, the school, the company, the insurer, and NJDOE when applicable.
☐ Explain how to document photos, witnesses, passengers, injuries, and vehicle damage without admitting fault.
☐ Complete and retain required driver and aide training certificates; NJDOE requires training twice each year.
☐ Document special-needs training where applicable, plus loading and unloading, student accountability, end-of-route inspections, emergency evacuation, and distracted-driving procedures.
☐ Record each training date, topic, instructor, and attendee, including remedial training after incidents or violations.

Certificates and Policy Limits

☐ Confirm automobile liability meets New Jersey's $1.5 million minimum and the applicable bid or contract requirement. Some school boards may require up to a $5 million combined single limit (CSL).
☐ Verify that certificates correctly identify required certificate holders and additional insureds.
☐ Review general liability, workers' compensation, and umbrella or excess coverage against contract requirements.
☐ Confirm workers' compensation classifications and payroll accurately reflect the operation and its employees.
☐ Check policy dates, renewal deadlines, vehicle and driver schedules, and any open certificate requests.
☐ Review claims and loss runs early enough to address issues before the renewal deadline.

Official New Jersey Resources

This checklist is a general organizational aid and is not a complete statement of legal, contractual, safety, or insurance requirements.

Commercial Insurance

NJ Workers' Compensation Information for Employers

Official NJ Department of Labor resources covering employer insurance, workplace notices, injury reporting, and compliance responsibilities.

Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Licensing, & Bonding

NJSA 56:8-136 through 56:8-142 describes the requirements for all home improvement contractors (HIC) to register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs with certain exceptions (licensed electricians, licensed plumbers, property owners working their own property, and community association employees). Initial registration is by mail or in person only (124 Halsey Street, 7th Floor, PO Box 46016, Newark, NJ 07101).

HICs must be licensed when performing financed contract work or contract work valued at $120,000 or more, and work involving more than one construction plans subcode submission. A license is not required for an individual performing work no more than $1,500 per contract and $25,000 per year. NJSA 56:8-137 & 56:8-138(d)

All registered HICs must maintain at least $500,000 minimum commercial general liabilty insurance. NJSA 56:8-142(a)

Registered contractor businesses must maintain a bond respective to the amount of contracts performed. NJSA 56:8-142(e)(f)

Contracts under $10,000 or annual < $150,000 = $10,000 bond.

Contracts between $10,000-$120,000 or annual between $150,000 and $750,000 = $25,000 bond.

Contracts over $120,000 or annual ≥ $750,000 = $50,000 bond.

The compliance bond doesn't cover bad work or lawsuits, it guarantees the State can collect penalties if you violate home-improvement laws.

New Jersey Small Business Manual

A free resource from the New Jersey Business Action Center that offers practical guidance on establishing, maintaining, and expanding a small business in New Jersey. It includes information on planning, permits, financial assistance, and other tools to support entrepreneurs and business owners, and is available for download or request as a printed copy.

SBA Learning Platform

An official U.S. Small Business Administration resource offering free online training, coaching, and development programs to help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow their small businesses. It includes self-paced courses and specialized tracks for startups, experienced business owners, veterans, and underserved communities.

Auto Insurance

NJ Auto Insurance Overview

The NJ Department of Banking & Insurance website provides a detailed summary of minimum coverage requirements, available policy types, and consumer protections. Don’t miss the approved Defensive Driving Courses that earn you a discount on your insurance!

Homeowners Insurance

NJ Homeowners Insurance

Explains homeowners coverage types, policy features, disaster coverage, and FAQs for homeowners.