SBA Size Standard: NAICS 485410 School and Employee Bus Transportation — Small Business Threshold

SBA Description

School and Employee Bus Transportation

Receipts-Based Standard

Frequently asked questions

What is NAICS 485410?

NAICS 485410 is the North American Industry Classification System code for School and Employee Bus Transportation. It classifies this business activity for statistical, regulatory, and government procurement purposes. Federal agencies use NAICS codes to collect and publish data about the US economy, determine SBA size standards, and set aside contracts for small businesses.

What licenses and permits does a School and Employee Bus Transportation need?

A School and Employee Bus Transportation typically needs a local business license, a federal EIN from the IRS, and industry-specific permits depending on the sector. Check with your city or county clerk for a general business license, your state's professional or industry licensing board for any required occupational licenses, and your state's tax authority for a sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services.

How do I register a School and Employee Bus Transportation business in the United States?

To register a School and Employee Bus Transportation business, first choose your legal structure: sole proprietorship (simplest, uses SSN), LLC (personal liability protection, files with your Secretary of State), or corporation (Form 1120 or 1120-S). Register your business name (DBA) with your county if operating under a trade name. Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. Register with your state revenue department for any applicable taxes.

What tax forms does a School and Employee Bus Transportation file with the IRS?

Tax forms depend on your entity type. A sole proprietor files Schedule C with Form 1040 and Schedule SE for self-employment tax (15.3%). An LLC taxed as a partnership files Form 1065 with Schedule K-1s. A C-Corporation files Form 1120 (21% flat rate). An S-Corporation files Form 1120-S. All businesses paying employees file Form 940 (FUTA) annually and Form 941 quarterly. Estimated tax payments are made via Form 1040-ES four times per year.

Is School and Employee Bus Transportation the right NAICS code for my business?

Your NAICS code should reflect your primary business activity — the one generating the most revenue or value. If School and Employee Bus Transportation describes your main line of business, NAICS 485410 is likely correct. If you have multiple distinct activities, you may need separate codes for statistical reporting. For federal contracting, your SAM.gov registration should use the code that best matches the work you perform. Review the official NAICS 485410 description and exclusions to confirm it fits your operations.

What are the hours-of-service rules for a School and Employee Bus Transportation?

FMCSA hours-of-service rules limit property-carrying drivers to 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off, within a 14-hour on-duty window, with a maximum of 60 hours on-duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. Passenger carriers have different limits (10 hours driving, 15-hour window). All CDL drivers must use ELDs (electronic logging devices) unless operating under a short-haul or pre-2000 vehicle exemption.

Does a School and Employee Bus Transportation need to join a DOT drug and alcohol testing consortium?

Yes, any owner-operator with a CDL operating under FMCSA authority must enroll in a DOT drug and alcohol testing consortium for pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty testing. The consortium manages your random testing pool and maintains records. Annual MIS (Management Information System) reports are due by March 15 each year summarizing testing data.

Do I need a USDOT number for my School and Employee Bus Transportation?

You need a USDOT number if you operate commercial vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR in interstate commerce, transport hazardous materials requiring placards, or transport more than 8 passengers (including driver) for compensation. Most states also require a USDOT number for intrastate operations. Register at the FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS). Failure to register can result in fines up to $16,000 per day.

What is an MC number and when does a School and Employee Bus Transportation need one?

An MC (Motor Carrier) number is FMCSA operating authority required for for-hire carriers transporting regulated commodities across state lines. you need MC authority if you transport property or passengers for compensation in interstate commerce. The application fee is $300 per authority type. You must also file BOC-3 (process agent) and maintain BMC-84 or BMC-85 insurance/bond coverage.