Bus Drivers, School

Career Overview

Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting.

Also Known As

• Bus Driver
• Public School Bus Driver
• School Bus Driver
• SPED Bus Driver (Special Education Bus Driver)

Alternate Job Titles

• Bus Drive Coordinator
• Bus Driver
• Bus Monitor
• Campus Driver
• CDL Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License Bus Driver)
• CDL School Bus Driver (Commercial Driver's License School Bus Driver)
• Public School Bus Driver
• School Bus Driver
• School Bus Operator
• School Van Driver
• Shuttle Bus Driver
• SPED Bus Driver (Special Education Bus Driver)
• SPED Driver (Special Education Driver)
• SPED School Bus Driver (Special Education School Bus Driver)
• Student Driver

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
• Follow safety rules as students board and exit buses or cross streets near bus stops.
• Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
• Report any bus malfunctions or needed repairs.
• Pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
• Drive gasoline, diesel, or electrically powered multi-passenger vehicles to transport students between neighborhoods, schools, and school activities.
• Maintain order among students during trips to ensure safety.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Transportation
• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Far Vision
• Near Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Depth Perception
• Problem Sensitivity
• Reaction Time
• Peripheral Vision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Control Precision
• Oral Comprehension

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Cautiousness
• Dependability
• Integrity
• Attention to Detail
• Cooperation

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Windows

Tools & Equipment

• Barcode scanners
• Bus warning lights
• Cell phones
• Digital surveillance camera systems
• Emergency exit doors
• Emergency first-aid kits
• Global positioning system GPS receivers
• On-board data input terminals
• Passenger buses
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Powered service doors
• Radio frequency identification RFID devices
• Snow chains
• Tire pressure gauges
• Two way radios

Work Environment

• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
• Frequency of Decision Making
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
• Spend Time Sitting
• Contact With Others

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$27,680
Median	$47,040
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$63,810

Workers Employed Nationally: 387,920

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.