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

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 over 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 dangerous to leave late students behind? I know it sucks when there is this one kid who dawdles his or her ass to the bus. Is it unsafe. What if they can’t get back in their house or call someone? Would the driver be liable if he or she sawthem

Asked by Jarred over 6 years ago

No. If the kid is dawdling and has been told multiple times not to, the driver has every right to leave the stop. That being said some drivers build in a little extra time for that stop that dawdles coming out of the house because they care and sometimes kids have bad mornings too.

So you think though if a sub came 20 minutes early and there was no notice and it was a mistake. That they should have sent the bus back or did something in that case? Do you think the sub would be reprimanded?

Asked by James almost 7 years ago

Reprimanded, no. As the rider you need to be ready for the bus to come at any point. Generally we tell our kids be ready 10 minutes early just incase. Generally if the sub is following the driver's instructions then it's your fault you missed the bus. Most buses stop and other kids are getting on at the same time.

The little image in the middle of the first question. Is that you?

Asked by Zz over 6 years ago

Thats probably an advertisement? I don't have any personal images on here.

i’ve dropped a couple of things on this bus and when i dropped something on the floor today because i kicked off my seat when i was trying to sleep...is she allowed to legally take away my personal item because i dropped it

Asked by shay over 6 years ago

We can take items away if they are causing a problem, but generally we aren't allowed to keep the items, they have to be claimed by a parent. That being said, don't argue, apologize, and let the driver keep said item for the time being. When you go to get off the bus, ask the driver for the item back and see what the driver says.

Or would that cause them to loose more brain cells

Asked by Honnie almost 7 years ago

They already have limited brain cells.

Do you get to pick stops times? Do you draft your route and have it approved? Or is it picked by the company/district and it is what it is? What about if you wanted it changed.

Asked by San over 6 years ago

That depends on the district. Some districts choose for drivers other districts let drivers choose the stops and times. If you want something changed, talk politely to your driver about the policy on how to go about doing that.