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

Do old school busses in the school bus depots have their cameras rolling all day year round ?

Asked by Shane about 10 years ago

A school buses camera is usually only active when the bus is switched in the "on" position.  The only exception to this is when a bus is switched off after a period of time.  Our camera systems are designed to run for about 10-15 minutes after the bus is officially "off." This is so that it can be shown that we do our walk throughs to check the bus for any sleeping child and also prevents a bus driver from turning off the bus just to yell or swear at children off camera.  If they have to wait 15 minutes the boss man knows something is up.  As for any other security cameras that may be around the bus depots, I'm not sure, but some depots do have security cameras on the building and in the parking lot to ensure protection.

If you see a bus drive do something that you feel isn't safe with the kids on the bus, what should you do? (IE- turning in traffic on busy road when it's not their turn to go).

Asked by Kaskitowa almost 10 years ago

Call it in to the authorities, or to the local bus shop/school district labeled on the outside of the school bus. Sometimes drivers do get distracted and make poor decisions. They still need to be notified so that they can adjust their driving style. There have been a few times where I have not made the best decision and pulled out inadvertently in front of someone on a blind corner, but we are human and all make mistakes. I would rather someone come to me and tell me that I need to watch how I drive than to endanger children anymore than necessary.

My 5 year old son and nephew both on the same bus claim they were pushed into their seat. I have asked for the bus driver to be changed to another route but it fell of def ears, What can I do? My nephew does not want to get on the bus anymore.

Asked by margaritaq about 10 years ago

First, you need to establish who was pushing your son and nephew.  If it was the bus driver, ask the school and bus shop to pull the video tape.  Most buses have video recording systems now in order to prevent situations like this.  If it is shown on the tape then you have the right to request disciplinary action.  If the action done is not suitable or the problem re-occurs, then you have the right to take it to the superintendents office.  However keep in mind that you're only hearing one side to the story.  The tape tells the whole story and will either clear the driver or make it clear the driver is in trouble.

How many feet off the school bus does the cameras pick up sound?

Asked by Angelina over 9 years ago

It depends on the type of system, but most sound systems on a bus pick up surrounding noise, but the best noise happens about 4-6 feet surrounding the microphone.

Can a bus school bus driver make a student sweep the floor legally.

Asked by Bo over 8 years ago

Legally speaking, probably not. However did the child do something that would warrant a need to clean up the bus? If so, such consequences should be discussed with the parent before hand unless the school opts to handle it that way. For example, a kid who has a chronic problem of not throwing away his trash may be asked to clean the bus in lieu of a harsher punishment like In School Suspension or Detention. My bus kids always like to help pick up the bus and I do have a couple of them who like to sweep up.

If my child bus got into a car accident and didn't notify me of it, is it illegal in the state of tx

Asked by Katie almost 9 years ago

Far as I can tell the notifications are left up to individual bus companies. I would assume it is based on severity of accident. If the bus was involved in a minor fender bender where no children are hurt, it is likely they will be either transferred to another bus and then delivered home or to school, or the bus is undamaged so it is able to deliver a student to and from school. You should review your individual school system policies to see what their protocol is on notifying parents of bus accidents.

I have a couple questions about retarders on the school buses? Are they allowed in all states? Are they required? When were they first introduced? Why were they put on buses in the first place?

Asked by Belinda over 9 years ago

I'm not sure of the legalities associated with retarders or governors on buses, however I do know that the federal speedlimit for buses is 55 mph maximum. Various states and counties may have their own rules, but as for ours, we are pre-set to 55-59 mph maximum speed. This is to keep the children safe as well as drivers.