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What do school bus drivers do?

Updated: 10/10/2023
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14y ago

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Many employers prefer high school graduates and require a written test of ability to follow complex bus schedules. Many intercity and public transit bus companies prefer applicants who are at least 24 years of age; some require several years of experience driving a bus or truck. In some States, school bus drivers must pass a background investigation to uncover any criminal record or history of mental problems.

Bus driver qualifications and standards are established by State and Federal regulations. All drivers must comply with Federal regulations and with any State regulations that exceed Federal requirements. Federal regulations require drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or designed to carry 16 or more persons, including the driver, to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements from the State in which they live.

To qualify for a CDL, applicants must pass a knowledge test on rules and regulations and then demonstrate in a skills test that they can operate a bus safely. A national databank records all driving violations incurred by persons who hold commercial licenses, and a State may not issue a CDL to a person who has already had a license suspended or revoked in another State. To be issued a CDL, a driver must surrender all other driver's licenses. A driver with a CDL must accompany trainees until the trainees get their own CDL. In addition to having a CDL, all bus drivers must have a "passenger" endorsement for their CDL, which requires passing a knowledge test and demonstrating the necessary skills in a vehicle of the same type as the one they would be driving in their duties. Information on how to apply for a CDL and each type of endorsement can be obtained from State motor vehicle administrations.

While many States allow those who are 18 years of age and older to drive buses within State borders, the Department of Transportation establishes minimum qualifications for bus drivers engaged in interstate commerce. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require drivers to be at least 21 years old and to pass a physical examination once every 2 years. The main physical requirements include good hearing, at least 20/40 vision with or without glasses or corrective lenses, and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye. Drivers cannot be colorblind. They must be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at not less than 5 feet, with or without a hearing aide. Drivers must have normal blood pressure as well as normal use of their arms and legs. They may not use any controlled substances, unless prescribed by a licensed physician. Persons with epilepsy or with Diabetes controlled by insulin are not permitted to be interstate bus drivers. Federal regulations also require employers to test their drivers for alcohol and drug use as a condition of employment and require periodic random tests of the drivers while they are on duty. In addition, a driver must not have been convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle, a crime involving drugs, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusing to submit to an alcohol test required by a State or its implied consent laws or regulations, leaving the scene of a crime, or causing a fatality through negligent operation of a commercial vehicle. All drivers must be able to read and speak English well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and communicate with law enforcement officers and the public. In addition, drivers must take a written examination on the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Because bus drivers deal with passengers, they must be courteous. They need an even temperament and emotional stability because driving in heavy, fast-moving, or stop-and-go traffic and dealing with passengers can be stressful. Drivers must have strong customer service skills, including communication skills and the ability to coordinate and manage large groups of people.

Most intercity bus companies and local-transit systems give driver trainees 2 to 8 weeks of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. In the classroom, trainees learn Department of Transportation and company work rules, safety regulations, State and municipal driving regulations, and safe driving practices. They also learn to read schedules, determine fares, keep records, and deal courteously with passengers.

School bus drivers also are required to obtain a CDL from the State in which they live. They must additionally have a "school bus" endorsement for their CDL. To receive this endorsement, they must pass a written test and demonstrate necessary skills. The skills portion of the test is taken in a bus of the same type that they would be driving on their route. Both of these tests are specific to school buses and are in addition to the testing required to receive a CDL and the "passenger" endorsement. Many persons who become school bus drivers have never driven any vehicle larger than an automobile. They receive between 1 and 4 weeks of driving instruction and classroom training on State and local laws, regulations, and policies of operating school buses; safe driving practices; driver-pupil relations; first aid; special needs of disabled and emotionally troubled students; and emergency evacuation procedures. School bus drivers also must be aware of the school system's rules for discipline and conduct for bus drivers and the students they transport.

During training, bus drivers practice driving on set courses. They practice turns and zigzag maneuvers, backing up, and driving in narrow lanes. Then, they drive in light traffic and, eventually, on congested highways and city streets. They also make trial runs without passengers to improve their driving skills and learn the routes. Local-transit trainees memorize and drive each of the runs operating out of their assigned garage. New drivers make regularly scheduled trips with passengers, accompanied by an experienced driver who gives helpful tips, answers questions, and evaluates the new driver's performance. Most bus drivers get brief supplemental training at regular periods to keep abreast of safety issues and regulatory changes.

New intercity and local-transit drivers usually are placed on an "extra" list to drive chartered runs, extra buses on regular runs, and special runs (for example, during morning and evening rush hours and to sports events). They also substitute for regular drivers who are ill or on vacation. New drivers remain on the extra list, and may work only part time, perhaps for several years, until they have enough seniority to be given a regular run.

Senior drivers may bid for the runs that they prefer, such as those with more work hours, lighter traffic, weekends off, or-in the case of intercity bus drivers-higher earnings or fewer workdays per week.

Opportunities for promotion are generally limited. However, experienced drivers may become supervisors or dispatchers-assigning buses to drivers, checking whether drivers are on schedule, rerouting buses to avoid blocked streets or other problems, and dispatching extra vehicles and service crews to scenes of accidents and breakdowns. In transit agencies with rail systems, drivers may become train operators or station attendants. Opportunities exist for bus drivers to become either instructors of new bus drivers or master-instructors, who train new instructors. A few drivers become managers. Promotion in publicly owned bus systems is often determined by competitive civil service examination. Some motor coach drivers purchase their own equipment and open their own business.

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15y ago

A bus driver needs to obtain a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) in order to drive a bus. Additional certifications are needed to drive school buses. Many schools offer free training in return for driving their kids around for a school year. The training involves understanding the mechanics of the bus, being able to inspect them as well as being able to park and drive within tight spaces. The drivers test, like those for cars, involves a detailed test as well as a practical driving portion. Prior to driving the bus with a permit, the driver must pass a physical exam. Diabetics may find restrictions on their ability to become licensed.

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10y ago

The necessary qualifications to be employed as a bus driver do vary by country, state and the sectors involved. In the UK, to drive lorries and buses you will need a full photocard driving licence. You will then need to achieve a Driver Qualification Card, which will requre passing theory and practical tests.

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Bus drivers are required to successfully complete a drivers test and obtain a specific class of drivers licence . This class varies depending on province one is in. In Alberta a bus driver is required to carry a class 2 license. A clean drivers record is also required to be a bus driver.

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14y ago

School drivers drive school buses.

School bus drivers transport children between their home and school safely and efficiently during the school year.

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Bus drivers must complete training to receive their required CDL (Commercial Drivers License), and also must complete any training required by the individual employer.

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15y ago

One who keeps driving safety and the well being of students above all.

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Q: What do school bus drivers do?
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Related questions

Can school bus drivers bring their infant with them on the bus route?

No


Can school bus drivers pick their own bus?

no and i dont know why


What do school bus drivers get paid?

Not much


Does a bus driver drive the same bus all day?

It depends on what kind of bus company it is, school bus drivers usually drive the same bus, other public transit bus drivers like the Coach/Greyhound bus drivers do switch buses at a certain time.


Which seat on a school bus is the most dangerous?

Drivers Seat


Can school bus drivers wear ear plugs in PA?

Yes


How many driving endorsement you need for a school bus commercial drivers license?

You need the passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.


Requirements for Driving a school bus?

It is estimated that 26 million American children ride the bus to school and more than 450,000 school bus drivers are on the road each school day. In some states school bus drivers are employed by the Board of Education while other states contract school bus services out to a private company. The Bureau of Labor Statistics places the median wage for the job of school bus driver at $12.79 per hour. School bus drivers are typically considered part-time employees and rarely work more than 30 hours per week. Most school bus drivers work a split shift consisting of an early morning route getting students to school, several unpaid hours while the children are in school and an afternoon route transporting students back home. Some bus drivers supplement their earnings by accepting after school driving assignments such a field trips and sporting competitions. In addition school bus drivers only work when school is in session and receive no pay for school holidays or vacations. Summer school routes are offered to only a small portion of regular bus drivers. A commercial drivers license with passenger endorsement is required in order to drive a bus. Many times training for CDL licensure is provided by the employer to new hires at no charge. Commercial drivers licenses are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles and can be obtained independently however one must have access to a bus for the driving portion of the test. Because the school bus driver is responsible for each rider's welfare drivers typically receive an additional 40 hours of instruction before being allowed to transport students, which provides 20 hours of actual driving time and 20 hours of classroom instruction specific to dealing with student safety and behavior issues. Bus drivers must also complete CPR and first aid training. Before hire school bus drivers are rigorously screened through motor vehicle, FBI and Department of Justice background checks. Individuals with violent, sex or drug related convictions as well as those with poor driving records are excluded from working as a school bus driver. School bus drivers are also subjected to pre-employment and random drug screenings.


Drivers approaching a school bus with flashing red lights cannot what?

Pass.


What has the author Lisa Moran written?

Lisa Moran has written: 'Big Cindy's school bus' -- subject(s): Bus drivers, Fiction, School buses


Do bus drivers have special privileges on the road?

School bus drivers have to follow the laws just like everybody else. This is especially important since they have a precious cargo of children on board.


What can bus drivers legally do to children riding a school bus?

They can cite the student for poor behavior on the bus. In many districts 3 citations means the child can't ride the bus and the parents have to find another means to get him/her to school.