School Bus Driver

School Bus Driver

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.

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1007 Questions

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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

when the bus is not in does the camera roll

Asked by nar almost 10 years ago

The camera will roll anywhere from 5-15 minutes after the bus is shut down, and then the camera will stop rolling.

Does a bus driver have the right to put their hands on a child

Asked by jessica about 10 years ago

That depends on the situation at hand. As a rule of thumb, I don't put my hands on any of the children on my bus because of the liability issues surrounding that. If a child offers a hug, I will sideways hug or simply reach my hand up and pat them on the side of the head ensuring that minimal body contact happens. That being said, if there is a safety issue and the children are at risk of being injured or killed (an example of this would be if a vehicle is choosing to ignore our stop signs and warning lights for loading and unloading children) I will put my arm out to stop a child or pull them back from harms way. Not in any malicious intent, but only to watch out for their well being.

My bus driver told be she was going to write me up. All because I told her she should put on her seat belt, and to stop texting and driving. She yelled at me for no reason as well. Am I going to get in trouble for doing the right thing?

Asked by Michael. about 10 years ago

If she is texting and driving and being unsafe on the bus, you do need to report it. If she threatens you with a write up if you do report it, then she needs to be reported. You shouldn't be worried about retaliation from the school for reporting her unprofessional behavior.

Follow up to the bus driver video taping my child. Are parents allowed to request to view the bus recording for the day in question. Was told there was nothing on the surveillance tape yet they informed us they had a talk with the driver anyways. Thx

Asked by Learjet60xr about 10 years ago

In my particular area, whether a parent views a surveillance tape is left up to the school. Due to legalities involved in the privacy of other children on the bus, my workplace does not allow parents to view videotapes, but if individual schools make that choice, then that is on those schools. As inevitably happens with kids on the bus, if a parent views the tape, they tend to focus on children other than their own. This is why we choose not to let parents view the videotapes. You are more than welcome to ask, the worst they can say is no.

I am currently taking my course to receive my school bus license. I am 26 years old and I am afraid the children (especially teenagers) will not take me seriously because I look young. Any advice for a new/young bus driver?

Asked by Tamy over 10 years ago

I was actually between 24 and 25 when I started driving a bus. Just be consistent with the kids. Try to remember that they will be kids. They will turn around and kneel up and probably not sit down so that you feel like a broken record when you drive, but eventually they will learn to respect you and the way you do things if you are consistent and fair. If you expect one thing from one kid make sure that you expect the same from the other kids. In other words, its not fair if you are constantly telling one child to sit more than the others, or are singling that child out for the front seat.

Another thing, learn to let things go. You will have bad days and days where you want to pull your hair out, but the important thing is to remember not to let it get to you. If it is getting to you, make a positive change. Take a half day off and allow yourself to clear your mind. Finally, unless there is blood shed, its best to handle things diplomatically working your way up the ladder discipline wise. In example, start with the kids, relocate them to certain seats. Then move up to contacting parents, and finally contact of school administrators. My simple rules are as follows - Inside voices, quiet at the railroad, stay in your seat, no eating (water is okay), no fighting/bullying/watch your language. Some days they can be rowdy, but they listen, and respect my rules.

Good luck!

what do i need to do to become a bus monitor

Asked by spicy almost 11 years ago

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.

My mother in law is a bus driver for the same company for 30 years and she used to take her bus home for the school year, now the bus company is saying because of home land security they aren't allowing them anymore...is this true.

Asked by Darnell over 10 years ago

Not sure about homeland security, but often bus companies will forbid drivers to take their buses home as a measure of protection for the vehicles.  If there was vandalism in the last few years or issues regarding misuse of buses such as people using them for personal errands wasting the fuel paid for by the city/county, then the bus company has a right to protect their investment.  Buses are not cheap!   Most drivers do take their buses home because it saves on fuel expense if they live on the route directly.