The Bus Driver
15 Years Experience
South, ..
Female, 37
I have been a bus driver since late 2006. I know the inside story, the scoop, the down low dirt of what it takes to be a bus driver, how to handle kids and adults, and how to survive on the "streets" so to speak. I used to have a blog, feel free to browse it or ask me a question here.
Don't worry too much about the hearing and vision testing. If you wear glasses regularly to drive, just wear those. I wear glasses all the time and so do several of my friends who are bus drivers. Also the test is only as hard as you make it. Study up and you should pass it no problem. Good luck!
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All of my kids know to sit properly in their seats. If one decides to go under the seat they get a front seat for a period of time until they learn that they must sit down properly. If your driver is allowing it, you should report it to the principal of your school or the transportation department for the safety of the other students on the bus.
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Dear Frustrated,
I'm sorry to read that you are having difficulties with your son on the bus. Seven is a challenging age because their attention span has not developed fully and they can be a little rowdy without intentionally misbehaving. First, I would identify the behavior that is being mentioned. Second, ask if the principal has seen a video tape of the bus ride. More often, if there is a miss communication, a video tape can speak volumes as to the actual situation. Third, identify positive behavior rewards for your son. (Example to follow) Fourth, speak with the bus driver directly. Ask if there is a seating arrangement that might put your son in the direct line of sight of the bus driver but close enough to the front so that your son might feel he needs to behave. Implement identified rewards both at home AND on the bus for positive bus behavior. Finally, talk to your son and listen to what he has to say about the situation. He may have a different perspective.
Example: I have 4 pre-k kids on the bus this year and I bought coloring books, crayons, and coloring tablets (plastic clipboard things). Every day they get on the bus in the afternoons (mornings aren't an issue as they are quiet and usually sleepy) they get their choice of coloring pages and crayons. It keeps them busy and occupied while they are riding the bus. When they get off the bus, if they have sat and behaved, they get a sticker. Some of my older kids love the coloring pages too and ask for them. Maybe something like this might help your son to behave. I also allow electronic devices on my bus so ipods, cell phones, pocket games. It keeps my kids occupied so that I don't have to get onto them as much.
I hope this helps. Good luck and feel free to email me at busdriverquestions@gmail.com with a followup.
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Short answer - no. Long answer - yes with a but. If the parent is causing the conflict or there is an imminent danger to children the bus driver has a duty to call back up to help solve any major conflict. If the parent is looking to help a bus driver who has been assaulted, then okay but as long as it is not a revenge tactic. If its an emergency such as the child is choking or otherwise injured, then exceptions to that rule is warranted.
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Tough questions. Legally, if a child is having an issue such as an allergic reaction and the child has an epi-pen on themselves, we are trained to help the child administer the epi-pen to themselves (in the form of putting their hand around the epi-pen and guiding it to the right spot so that the medicine is delivered appropriately). That being said, if your child has a severe enough allergy that the bus driver is simply not comfortable with handling it (as can be the case with severe bee sting or peanut allergies) the driver does have the discretion to advise you to seek other types of transportation. They can go to their supervisors and try to work with you to find alternate modes of transportation for your child. It may be that the child needs to be on a special education bus. As it is, I have a child who is a diabetic on my bus (also a very common issue) and I am in the process of speaking to qualified nurses and doctors on the best way to help this child should their sugar drop. I advise you to take it to the bus garage and see what they say.
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Hi Carter,
Technically, no, the bus driver cannot take a kid to the bus parking area to help clean up unless there was a good reason and it was previously approved by the school and the parents. That situation would be if the kid had vandalized the seats or bus in any way and was cleaning the bus instead of having his/her parents pay for the damage. As far as getting the same bus and route your driver is currently on, depending on your area bus shop will depend on how they run things. Where I live, all the drivers keep their same routes and buses unless new buses come in and those are given out yearly. In other areas, the drivers have to bid on the routes and buses they use. It really depends on where you live. Also buses are typically put out of service after a certain mileage for the safety of the students.
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Depending on your district will depend on the procedure for applying for a job. In my district, applicants submit their applications to the local board of education. The process begins there. I suggest you go to your local board of education. They will be able to give you the necessary direction in which to go to apply to be a bus driver or monitor.
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