Many Churches have already planned their summer mission trips for the year and I see youth groups and adults traveling to varied places from Biloxi Mississippi to the Potawatomi Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, but one thing is for certain if you are traveling in a 15-passenger van extra precautions must be taken.

Depending on how large your mission group is and how far you are traveling scheduling transportation can be a daunting task. Hiring a bus company, scheduling flights, traveling in an owned Church vehicle or renting a 15-passenger van are all options.

15-Passenger vans present their own unique set of circumstances compared to a minibus. A bus that seats 16 people or more must be operated by a person with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To obtain a CDL in Ohio you must be 21 (for interstate commerce) pass a knowledge test, skills test and a road test along with obtaining a medical certificate. Anybody with an Ohio driver’s license who is 18 years old can drive a 15-passenger van with no restrictions and little or no training.

Mini buses are constructed with steel cage construction to reduce injury in accidents and dual rear wheels to decrease the risk of rollovers.

Understanding that buses are safer than 15 passenger vans, the van may be your only option, so what are you to do? Below is a checklist to assist you in following the National Highway Traffic, Safety Administrations recommendations.

* Click here to view and Download Checklist

By following these steps hopefully your Mission Trip will be safe, provide life long memories, be a great learning experience, create great friendships and provide compassion and empathy for people in need.

To discuss safety tips for your Church or other Insurance matters call the Trusted Choice Insurance Agents at Richey-Barrett.