PennDOT Form DL-739: PA School Bus Accident Report Guide – School bus safety remains a top priority across the United States, and Pennsylvania maintains some of the strictest reporting requirements in the nation. When a school bus is involved in any crash—regardless of how minor—the official document required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is Form DL-739, the School Bus Accident Report.
This comprehensive guide explains everything U.S. school transportation professionals, bus owners, contractors, and school administrators need to know about Form DL-739, including legal requirements, filing deadlines, how to complete the form, and where to obtain the official document.
What Is PennDOT Form DL-739?
Form DL-739 is the official Pennsylvania School Bus Accident Report used to document any vehicular crash involving a school bus or school vehicle. The current version is DL-739 (1-08). It collects detailed information about the crash, vehicle, driver, injuries, damage, causes, and environmental conditions.
The form is required under 67 Pa. Code § 171.141 and supplements general accident reporting rules found in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3741–3754).
PennDOT uses the data from these reports to analyze trends, identify safety improvements, and support statewide school bus safety programs.
When Must Form DL-739 Be Filed?
According to Pennsylvania regulations and official PennDOT guidance:
- The owner or operator of the school bus must report the crash to the chief school administrator (or authorized representative) of the school district, private school, or parochial school within 24 hours.
- A completed Form DL-739 must be submitted to PennDOT within 5 days of the accident.
Importantly, the form is required whenever there is any injury or property damage, no matter how slight. It must also be completed even if no students were on the bus at the time of the crash. There are no “minor” school bus crashes under Pennsylvania law for reporting purposes.
Who Is Responsible for Completing and Submitting Form DL-739?
The school bus owner or operator is responsible for completing and submitting the form. In practice, this often involves the bus driver providing details and the transportation supervisor or contractor ensuring timely submission.
The completed form must be mailed to:
Special Driver Programs
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 68684
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8684
How to Download the Official PennDOT Form DL-739?
Always use the official version of the form directly from PennDOT to ensure compliance. You can download the current Form DL-739 here:
Download Official PennDOT Form DL-739 (PDF)
The form notes that filers should refer to the instructional packet (DL-739A) if clarification is needed when completing any section. Print or type all information in blue or black ink.
Key Information Collected on Form DL-739
The form is structured to capture comprehensive crash data. Major sections include:
- School District / Intermediate Unit and Bus Owner – Identifies the operating entity (school district, contractor, intermediate unit, or other).
- Date, Day, and Time of Crash – Precise timing details.
- Location – State, county, and type of area (rural, urban, residential, business district, school property, etc.).
- Type of Crash – Options such as head-on, sideswipe, rear-end, intersection, pedestrian, fixed object, fire, and others.
- Purpose of Transport – Regular route, activity trip, or other.
- Injuries and Fatalities – Whether any occurred (with a detailed supplement).
- Bus Occupancy – Unoccupied, driver only, driver and students, or students only (with student count).
- Vehicle Details – Make, capacity type (Type I, Type II, or school vehicle), and age.
- Driver Information – Name, operator number, age range, years of bus-driving experience, condition, and status.
- Roadway and Environmental Conditions – Highway type, number of lanes, posted speed limit, weather, visibility, road surface, and lighting.
- Collision Details and Damage – What the bus collided with and estimated damage ranges for the bus and other property.
- Causes – Multiple selections allowed (following too closely, too fast for conditions, improper turns or stops, inattention, mechanical defect, etc.).
- Police Involvement – Whether a police report was made and if any citations were issued.
- Injury/Fatality Supplement and Other Vehicle Details – When applicable.
A signature, printed name, position, phone number, and date are required at the bottom of the form.
Related Reporting Requirements in Pennsylvania
Form DL-739 is in addition to other required reports:
- Immediate notification to the nearest police department if the crash involves injury, death, or vehicle damage requiring towing (per the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code).
- Possible completion of the general Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Driver’s Accident Report when police do not investigate.
- Internal school district or contractor incident reports.
- Post-accident drug and alcohol testing requirements that may apply under federal and Pennsylvania rules for school bus drivers.
School bus drivers and operators should also follow the crash and emergency procedures outlined in the official Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Manual.
Why Accurate and Timely Reporting Matters?
Accurate completion of Form DL-739 supports Pennsylvania’s ongoing efforts to improve school transportation safety. PennDOT analyzes the data to identify patterns, evaluate training needs, and develop safety initiatives. Late or incomplete reports can result in compliance issues for school entities and contractors.
For the most current forms, regulations, and guidance, always refer to official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania resources, including the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website and the Pennsylvania Code.