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

How do you keep from getting a horrible route? (I.e behavior issuies, extremely long, complicated to drive, or just plain horrrible kids to drive)?

Asked by Jj about 7 years ago

That's a complicated question because there is a driver that is good for every route. Kids respond to different ways of handling them and not all kids respond in the same way. Recently, I had to merge my route with another route and took on an additional 40 to 50 kids. It took about two weeks but I'm finally seeing progress in how these kids are responding to me mainly because of the example set by my original kids.

Is it a violation of FERPA for a bus driver to look at or read papers that are in a special education student's backpack? ( Example; checking their daily communication sheet to see how they behaved at school)

Asked by chris88 over 7 years ago

Not necessarily, like all school employees they are bound to keep things confidential. However if the bus driver is using it against the student or improperly then definitely report it.

Is there vacuum operated stop signs anymore?

Asked by Jj about 7 years ago

Our stop signs are air operated.

What should I do if the bus is coming 20 minutes before the scheduled stop time?

Asked by JC about 7 years ago

Get on the bus or go without a ride to school. Then set your alarm for the new time because it's likely the driver was thrust into doing a double, triple, quadruple run just to get kids to school. Just get on the bus, bring the driver a coffee with creamer and sugar on the side and the driver will be grateful.

How bad is the bus driver shortage really? What are some reasons that may have cased it?

Asked by Ron about 7 years ago

Come apply and find out for yourself how bad the shortage is. It's bad enough that I am not allowed to be sick even if i get hospitalized by a doctor.

I just asked a question but it wasn't really answered. I asked if it's ok for a bus driver to stop on the side of the road for over 10 mins to take a break? It doesn't have kids in the bus. If so, it must be only a few cause I don't see kids.Everyday

Asked by Stephanie over 7 years ago

Yes it is, bus drivers have schedules they need to keep. The driver may be waiting to start his or her next route. As long as the bus is off the main part of any road and not impeding traffic a bus driver can stop and "take a break" as you put it.

Can a driver get in trouble for smoking on the bus. No students (passengers) on board but smells like smoke.

Asked by jhg about 7 years ago

Yes. Report it to the proper authorities.