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

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 over 7 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.

I believe school bus drivers that bring their children to work with Them are a distraction. Are there any laws banning this procedure

Asked by Just a parent almost 7 years ago

No there are no laws banning this and in fact many parents become bus drivers so they can drive their own kids to and from school and make a little income on the side. Some districts have their own policies as to the age of the child allowed on the bus with the parent. For example, they cannot be a toddler or infant in a car seat, they must be school age. Some districts do allow parents of young children to take their kids along as long as the child does not disrupt the route and its on a case by case basis. Most parents who drive will put their children in one seat usually right behind them or near them so that there is no chance of issues of favoritism.

Is it normal to just want a bus driver who will just scream and cuss everyone out. I have had subs like this before and two bus drivers who did not put up with much. My drivers I have had lately are very nice and let things slide but the bus is horr^

Asked by -ible I mean HORRIBLE the high schoolers in the back are very horrible they say the most vulgar, obscene, and offensive things. I am not easily offended or things like that but when they are talking about how they want to rape and kill a teacher they did almost 6 years ago

Report the behavior of the kids to the administrators at the school. If you get no action that's why the driver doesn't do much. Personally, I try to have a bus that is well trained and while I cannot control everything that goes on, I can certainly influence it.

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 about 7 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.

How do substitute drivers know what the route is? I'm assuming they don't memorize dozens of routes.

Asked by Bob over 7 years ago

Many districts require the regular drivers to provide a route description for substitute drivers. This is not always the case. Sometimes districts rely on computerized route descriptions for substitute drivers. These can be accurate or inaccurate depending on the driver of the route or the actual stops involved in the route. When I was a substitute I found it easier for me to memorize certain routes because the drivers would often be absent or not there because they were doing a trip or otherwise occupied .

The other day I was going to a friends house so I rode her bus, the bus driver ended up stopping the bus asked my name and then asked to call my friends mom to see if I had permission to go to her house. Are bus drivers supposed to be all nosey?

Asked by 0814 almost 7 years ago

If you didn't have a bus pass then yes. However I am more concerned that the bus driver didn't notice you getting on the bus in the first place. My bus kids know it's okay to ask me if someone new rides my bus and my standard answer is have their parents send a note to school and get a bus pass.

What should a person do if their bus driver goes off on angry tirades and screams into the PA mic with the volume all the way up while beating the steering wheel and put the mic to a speaker?

Asked by Dana about 6 years ago

Shut up and don't talk back.

Though really if you're upset about it, maybe a phone call to the supervisor might help.