The Complete Guide to Becoming A Bus Driver, School

Chapter 1: What Does a Bus Driver, School Actually Do?

Let's start by clearing up the most common misconception about this job: it is not just "driving a bus." The driving is the core of it, but it's far from the whole job. A school bus driver is responsible for the safe transport of a district's most valuable cargo, and everything you do before you turn the key and after you shut it off is part of that responsibility. If you are considering this career, you need a clear picture of the entire day, not just the 30 minutes you spend on a straight road between a school and a subdivision.

Your day typically begins early, and I mean very early. Most morning routes start between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. That means you are pulling into the district's bus lot or depot around 5:30 a.m. to start your shift. Before you can move the bus an inch, you are legally required to perform a pre-trip inspection. This is not a quick walk-around with a flashlight. It is a systematic check of the vehicle's critical systems, and it takes a disciplined person about 15 to 20 minutes to do properly. You are checking the brakes, the steering, the tires for pressure and tread wear, the mirrors, the lights both inside and out, the emergency exits, the fire extinguisher, and the first-aid kit. You are also checking the fluids: engine oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Federal and state regulations require