School Bus Driver Information
School bus drivers make up 70 percent of the total bus driver population, according Bureau of Labor Statistics. These bus drivers either work directly for school systems or for companies rendering bus services for schools. School bus drivers have the responsibility to securely transport the students to their home, school and other destinations. School bus drivers must always comply with the related qualifications and standards of the state in which they operate.
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Requirements
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Employers generally prefer applicants to be high school graduates. Some of these employers also administer a written exam to ensure that applicants can submit reports and follow bus schedules. The applicant must also need to be in good physical condition with good vision and hearing. Most schools prefer applicants with no record of felony or drug abuse. School bus drivers must also obtain a commercial driver’s license with a passenger and a school bus endorsement. Such licenses are given after successfully passing the knowledge and skills exam provided by the corresponding state licensing agency.
Training
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Some schools and companies provide training to successful applicants. The training may involve classroom lectures on different state traffic rules and safety practices. Field training may also be provided and supervised by a senior school bus driver. During practical training, drivers practice different bus driving maneuvers, such as driving in zigzag pattern, backing up, driving in different traffic flows and driving in narrow or congested streets.
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Qualities
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School bus drivers must be composed and emotionally stable. They must have patience because they are dealing with kids and teenagers. They are also expected to enforce order and discipline regarding students’ conduct while being aware of disabled students and those with behavioral problems. They must also remain alert and ready for any incident, such as bad weather, heavy traffic and other safety and security threats. They must exercise caution in implementing the process of children getting on and off the bus.
Responsibilities
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School bus drivers should always follow school regulations and safety procedures regarding transporting students. They prepare weekly reports reflecting the number of students, trips, work hours, miles and fuel consumption. Safety is always applied in driving and in inspecting the overall condition of the vehicle. There are associations that aim to provide these drivers further training, tools and resources for bus safety maintenance and security. Examples of these associations are the National School Transportation Association and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.
Employment
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There is an average of 459,480 school bus drivers employed with an average annual wage of $28,050 in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In general, school bus drivers receive employment benefits such as health and life insurance, pension plans and sick leave. School bus drivers’ employment is projected to increase by 6 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the BLS. This is slower compared to other occupations. However, this job is deemed to be more stable because the number of students who require transportation is not affected during economic recession.
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