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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

1007 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

I have a friend that drives a bus and she said it’s so hard to pull the handle to open the doors for the kids and it’s hurting her neck! What can I do to help it open easier

Asked by Becky over 6 years ago

The best thing she can do is ask the shop mechanics to either loosen the springs on the door or to add lubrication to the handle in order for her to open it and shut it. If it bothers her that much they may opt to give her a bus with an air door that opens by a tap of the button. Of course I'm sure she wouldn't complain if you offered to pay for her to get a massage.

Im planning on retiring soon and was thinking about being a driver.I know they usually work split shifts ,one in the morning and one in the evening,Im wanting to work just a morning shift and not in the evening,is this possible?

Asked by robert almost 8 years ago

That would depend on the company you want to work for. Talk to the supervisor and ask them. Good luck!

If it is a main road..no sidewalks does the drive HAVE yo drop chilsren (kindergarden & 1st graders) in front of home?? (She did last year and this year she said shes trying to stop fewer times because kids live very close.

Asked by Jaclyn over 7 years ago

It varies state to state on what guidelines a bus driver must follow when designating stops. http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/school_bus_locations/examples.cfm

The previous link provided will give examples of these statutes for a few different states, but generally if the children live close to each other (within reasonable walking distance to where they could meet in the middle at a neutral stop) the bus driver is authorized to make changes to the route according to individual district policies. Basically there needs to be enough warning for drivers on the road to stop between stops with adequate time for the safety of all the students on board and off the bus.

is there laws for what a driver can and cant do? ie: i have to get out of my seat to place a seat belt on a child...i place the bus in N and lock the brake, my stop sign is out

Asked by new boss over 7 years ago

It depends on your districts policies and your job description. Various companies require bus drivers to do different tasks according to state laws and requirements. It also depends on the type of bus it is. For example, regular education buses here in my district do not have seat belts on the bus, but the special needs buses are all equipped with seat belts. Because of this, the special needs buses have monitors on the bus that are required to assist children to and from their seats and ensure that they are properly belted in and secured on the bus. This is for their safety as well as the safety of others on the bus. In other districts, regular education buses have seat belts and it is up to each district's individual policies on enforcement of wearing the belts. Some districts even require their drivers to get out of the bus and assist children in crossing the road by holding up a hand held stop sign. Bottom line, it is all about safety for the kids we transport every day!

What happens if a driver writes your name down? Cause my bus driver saw me chewing gum a friend gave me. My school never mentioned about eating and the bus driver yelled at me and asked me what my name was So I did. I'm a regular grade a student.

Asked by a student ( female. don't want to state my name about 7 years ago

Well its likely you're probably only going to get a warning, but if you simply apologize to the driver and let them know you didn't realize eating/drinking was not allowed on the bus, the driver wont write you up because you apologized. I always accept verbal and written apologies from my students. It means a lot more than just ignoring the problem and pretending it didn't happen. Good luck.

Can a bus driver really hold me on a bus at my stop?

Asked by High schooler about 8 years ago

If there is a safety reason for the hold, then yes we can hold you on the bus. Think of it this way, if there is an oncoming car and the car is not stopping and you have to cross the road, would you rather get hit by a car or held on the bus a little bit longer for your safety. Alternatively if there is a crazy person outside the bus with a gun or a knife would you want the bus driver to protect you, or simply let you off at the stop?

Hi, I was wondering if it would be appropriate to ask my bus driver out on a date. They're a city bus driver, though, not like a school bus driver or anything. They wouldn't get fired for accepting would they?

Asked by Ella almost 8 years ago

Sorry I was on vacation when you asked this. I would probably steer clear of asking out on a date unless you are over the age of 18.