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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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

is it legal to tell a school bus driver that they cannot use the bathroom or get something to eat while working

Asked by Upset almost 8 years ago

Honestly, no it is not legal to do so, but there may be district policies relating to the matter. I would recommend taking it up with your supervisor and asking what your district policies are in the matter.

I live in New York State and the bus driver said parents are not allowed on the bus at all. I can't find anything in the schools handbook or policy or any law pertaining to it. Is this a common thing bus drivers tell parents to keep them off the bus?

Asked by Smileys about 8 years ago

http://neatoday.org/2013/11/05/bus-drivers-work-to-strengthen-trespassing-laws-on-school-buses/

Basically, a parent stepping up onto the bus uninvited can be considered trespassing or unauthorized and can put students lives in jeopardy. We go through background checks in order to work with students and transport them. Consider this, would you like a random person to step up on your child's bus while the bus was at a different stop? What if that person had a gun or a negative motive to harm children. Point is, we take all precautions to protect the kids on our buses at all costs and if that means asking a parent to stay off the bus, then we do what we have to do. That being said, if I have a sleeping pre-school age child and the child is not wanting to wake up and voluntarily walk off the bus, I will also allow his/her parent to come and get the child, but usually the child is in the front seat to where the parent does not need to go further back in the bus and I will usually place myself between the seats so that the parent can only go as far as their child only.

Can a bus driver really hold me on a bus at my stop?

Asked by High schooler over 8 years ago

If there is a safety reason for the hold, then yes we can hold you on the bus. Think of it this way, if there is an oncoming car and the car is not stopping and you have to cross the road, would you rather get hit by a car or held on the bus a little bit longer for your safety. Alternatively if there is a crazy person outside the bus with a gun or a knife would you want the bus driver to protect you, or simply let you off at the stop?

I am a school bus driver in pa
Am i allowed to bring my own kids on the bus wjile driving Even though they aren't students?

Asked by Lisa over 7 years ago

That would be a question for your supervisor or your boss at your company or bus yard. Every company or district has a different policy on the matter. Check with them and they should be able to tell you what the policy is.

Are school bus drivers aloud to slam on the brakes because out bus driver her names Ethal if you loud she slams the brake also are they aloud to yell at you for being loud or listening to music?

Asked by Isaic almost 8 years ago

Sorry for the delay in the answering of this question - Technically, we shouldn't be slamming on the brakes, but that being said, your behavior on the bus should reflect how you want to be treated.. If you feel you are being mistreated by her, then report her. Some districts do not allow their students to listen to music on the bus because it can distract students in an emergency. My policy is headphones in, or the music is off, I don't want to hear what you're listening to. Additionally if you're being loud and obnoxious, she can tell you to quiet down because your being loud can be a distraction to her.

When approaching railroad tracks, is it the law the requires you to stop on the right side of the road or it suggested?

Asked by DQuestion almost 8 years ago

If I remember correctly, it is a law that buses should be on the right hand side of the road on a 4 lane highway if they have to stop at a railroad crossing. This is two fold. One it is safer for kids in general as most people in the USA pass on the left so faster traffic will automatically go around on the left, and two, should the bus become disabled at any point the door is on the right hand side so evacuation of the bus will be easier than having to stop traffic to let kids exit the bus in an emergency on the tracks.

My daughter in 5 grade and wants to seat alone. However the bus driver makes her to seat with other kids. There is plenty of empty seats and she needs to make homework while riding. Is he has the authority to do it?

Asked by Iryna ifedorovska@yahoo.com almost 8 years ago

The bus driver has the authority to assign seats as he or she sees fit so yes they have the authority to assign seats. As for your daughters desire to sit alone, it could be that there is plenty of room when she gets on or off the bus, but there may not be room as the route progresses. You also don't know if there are other kids who get on or off before or after your daughter that take up the spare seats. It is not always practical to have a kid sitting by themselves. Additionally homework should be done at home, not on the bus.