Bus Roadeo Toolkit

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Determining the Winner

A well-defined set of Bus Roadeo evaluation criteria ensures that all participants are judged fairly, consistently, and with a strong emphasis on safety and skill. The following criteria can be used as a framework for scoring performance. Sample Score Sheets are provided for reference.

Key Evaluation Criteria

  1. Safety: Safety should carry the greatest weight in scoring.

Evaluation Factors 

  • Complete stops
  • Proper use of turn signals
  • Effective mirror checks and situational awareness
  • Controlled and appropriate speed
  • Maintaining safe clearances from obstacles

Typical Deductions 

  • Rolling stop
  • Failure to signal
  • Unsafe maneuver (may result in disqualification)

  2. Pre-Trip Inspection: Assesses knowledge of vehicle safety and inspection procedures.

Evaluation Factors 

  • Identification of defects
  • Logical inspection sequence
  • Clear communication of findings

  3. Vehicle Control: Judges the driver’s ability to handle the vehicle smoothly and accurately.

Evaluation Factors 

  • Smooth acceleration and braking
  • Steering control and stability
  • Proper lane positioning
  •  Accurate turning

  4. Obstacle Course Performance: Each obstacle is scored individually to assess precision. Common obstacles include: 

  • Serpentine 
  • Offset Street 
  • Diminishing Clearance 
  • Right and Left Turns
  • Right Side Tire Clearance 
  • Backing (Right- and Left-Hand Reverse
  • Judgement Stop 

Evaluation Factors 

  • Accurate movement
  • Cone/contact avoidance
  • Final positioning

  5. Wheelchair Securement: Evaluates proper handling of accessibility equipment and passenger safety.

Evaluation Factors

  • Correct use of ramp or lift
  • Securement technique
  • Safety checks and communication

  6. Professionalism/Passenger Experience: Reflects driver’s demeanor and communication.

Evaluation Factors     

  • Professional behavior
  • Clear communication
  • Passenger awareness

  7. Rule Compliance: Ensures adherence to event procedures.

Evaluation Factors     

  • Following course instructions
  • Staying within boundaries
  • Responding appropriately to judges

  8. Time Management: Is a secondary factor to safety and is used primarily as a tiebreaker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A set of FAQs related to evaluation and scoring, along with their corresponding answers, is provided below.

  • What is the most important scoring category?

    Safety is always the highest priority and typically carries the most weight. 

  • Is time part of the score?

    Time is traditionally used only as a tiebreaker, not a primary scoring factor. 

  • Are all vehicles the same?

    Yes. Vehicles within each class should be identical in make, model, and equipment to ensure fairness. 

  • Are obstacles the same for all participants?

    Yes. Every competitor completes the same course under the same conditions (as much as possible).

  • What causes a driver disqualification?

    Unsafe driving behavior. Ignoring judge instructions (e.g., leaving the course, striking a real or simulated pedestrian, etc.). 

  • How are cone hits scored?

    Each cone contact results on a standard point deduction (e.g., - 2 points). 

  • Are pre-trip inspections required?

    Many roadeos include them as a scored component, but it depends on the event. 

  • What is evaluated during wheelchair securement?

    Proper use of equipment, securement accuracy, and passenger safety procedures. 

  • How is scoring kept fair?

    Use of standardized score sheets, pre-event judge training, and the same judge assigned to the same obstacle or event station. 

  • Can a score be challenged?

    Some events allow for a formal review process. Such rules should be defined in advance.

  • What happens if the event is interrupted or delayed?

    Scores remain valid, and the even resumes when conditions are safe. 

  • How are winners determined?

    Highest total score within each vehicle class. 

  • What happens in the event of a tie?

    Ties are typically broken using time or the highest safety score. 

Collecting the Score Sheets

A process should be established to collect the score sheets and compile the results. In Connecticut, each golf cart had a driver and runner. The driver followed behind the vehicle while the runner collected completed score sheets and delivered the sheets to the recorder location. In Arizona, volunteers walked around the course collecting the score sheets. Information on an electronic system for collecting and compiling scores is provided later in the Toolkit under the Technology Considerations section. 

Compiling the Score 

If scores are being compiled manually, the recorder should tally both the obstacle and non-obstacle score sheets for each driver. A second person may be used to review all scores to ensure accuracy. National RTAP has provided an Excel spreadsheet that could be used to tabulate results. The spreadsheet was designed to break ties by selecting the contestant who completed the course in the shortest time.

Updated August 10, 2026