HopSkipDrive’s Proactive Approach to California’s SB 88

At HopSkipDrive, our commitment to safety, transparency, and compliance forms the foundation of everything we do. We’re proud to confirm our compliance with California’s SB 88 requirements, building upon our established safety standards that have guided our operations since day one.

As California prepares to implement SB 88 on July 1, 2025, we’re pleased to share how our existing safety standards already align with — and in many cases exceed — the new requirements. Our direct collaboration with CareDrivers has enabled us to develop a compliance process that will be seamless for our clients, ensuring they have all the support and resources needed as these new regulations take effect.

HopSkipDrive’s rigorous standards have positioned us ahead of SB 88 requirements in several key areas:

Background Checks: Our 15-point certification process goes beyond basic requirements, and includes FBI fingerprint-based background check and the California Child Abuse Central Index through the California Department of Social Services’ TrustLine Registry, as well as thorough criminal history searches across county, state, and national databases. Additional checks include screening against global watchlists and sex offender registries.
Driver Experience: While SB 88 requires drivers to be at least 18 years old, CareDrivers are required to be at least 23 years old, with at least five years of caregiving experience and three years of driving experience.
Vehicle Requirements: HopSkipDrive maintains a proactive approach to vehicle safety by continuously monitoring and exceeding state regulations for vehicle age and condition. This includes adhering to a maximum vehicle age of 13 years (or less, where local regulations require) and promptly alerting impacted CareDrivers of vehicle recalls.
Driver Education: Our comprehensive driver education program surpasses CPUC requirements by covering additional important topics including sexual assault and harassment prevention.

To help ensure all CareDrivers have the tools needed to meet these requirements by the July 1 deadline, we’re proud to provide additional support:

Medical Examinations: We’re covering the cost for the required in-person medical exam and tuberculosis assessment through our approved vendor.
Pediatric First Aid: All costs for the required pediatric first aid course will be covered, with clear instructions provided for completing certification.
Drug and Alcohol Screening: We’ve implemented a streamlined process for pre-engagement and random drug and alcohol screening through in-app notifications.
Safety Equipment: CareDrivers have been provided with resources and recommendations for equipping their vehicles with first aid kits and fire extinguishers to ensure they’re well prepared to meet this requirement.

Safety has always been at the heart of everything we do. As the first and only student transportation company to publish an annual Safety Report, we believe in transparency and accountability. We encourage other companies in the space to do the same, as industry-wide data accountability can only elevate these important standards.

As the July 1 implementation date approaches, we’re actively partnering with CareDrivers throughout the state to ensure a smooth transition to the new requirements. Our comprehensive support includes step-by-step guidance, dedicated resources, and assistance in answering any questions throughout the compliance process.

While many of our existing protocols already exceed SB 88’s requirements, we’ve made strategic operational investments to ensure full compliance in all areas. These investments reflect our commitment to maintaining the highest standards as we continue to offer California school districts and organizations the safety, reliability, and innovation that defines HopSkipDrive.

For CareDrivers with specific questions about SB 88 requirements, we encourage you to visit our FAQs page or reach out to driversupport@hopskipdrive.com with any questions.