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

Thanks. Now if you where in a supervisory position would you allow buses to wait more then ten minutes? I think some places put a policy that buses are not able to wait over ten minutes. Why or why not?

Asked by Rodney over 5 years ago

Personally unless there was a good reason for a bus to be there early like they were meeting another bus to hold their children or something similar, i probably would institute a rule like that. The longer a bus waits sitting still with children the more possibilities there are for altercations between children. Not only that some states have idling laws.

Okay why in the movies can someone wait in their house for the bus and the bus driver will honk to tell the kids it’s time to get on the bus. Then in real life you have to stand outside no matter if it is raining or cold, etc and the bus does not even usually pick you up at your house. Why? Why do movies do this and why is it like this in real life? I hate movies they never get anything right. Their like a parallel universe.

Asked by Dndnnd almost 6 years ago

Every district runs their buses differently as do drivers run their routes differently. Lots of things that happen in movies are unrealistic to the "real" world as you put it but movie directors aren't thinking about reality, only the fantasy they are creating for the viewer to see. In a fantasy world, all students would sit down, behave, and not bully each other but we both know that's a fantasy too!

Have your or anyone you know been pulled over while on a bus? What happend?

Asked by You have what your dad has to do today or what if it will work it will about 6 years ago

Yes I have seen co workers gotten pulled over. They were speeding. One had kids on the bus. Although both co workers got off with warnings, one was fired the other was given a very stiff warning not to let it happen again.

DO subs generally give feedback? Do a lot of bus driver quit after their first “year” (year used loosely) or before the end of term? Who typically becomes driver is it young people in college, older semi retirees, or who else?

Asked by You almost 6 years ago

Subs are welcome to give feedback to regular drivers on their routes. Many times the kids will act out or act differently when there is a sub on the bus because they think they can get away with it. Generally not everyone is cut out to drive a school bus, so we do have people who will quit after a stressful moment. That being said drivers come from all walks of life and backgrounds.

Does it take a higher class CdL or certification to drive a Flat noes bus. Some subs wont drive them. They will take a regular bus and stick numbers on them. Or is it personal preference that they just don’t feel comfortable driving them?

Asked by D838373 almost 6 years ago

Not to my knowledge. Some buses are still not automatic, though most buses made today are automatic, and unless the driver has trained on a stick shift bus, then they can't drive it. There is extra training required for buses higher than 72 passenger because of the length of the bus.

Flat nose buses are unique in that the driver sits in front of the front wheels so it takes a little extra awareness to make turns around corners. Some drivers get spooked by the feeling of driving a vehicle like that and prefer a traditional style. Personally, I've driven both.

Is it a good tactic to intimidate and scare the kids into behaving?

Asked by Job almost 6 years ago

No

Does the driver get to choose his or her route and stop times? Or does it distract/company do that?

Asked by Really man about 6 years ago

It depends on the district's policy and practices what routes are what.