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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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

After talking to some witnesses & another mom, I feel that my 5yr old is being suspended unfairly. He has been accused of throwing an object, when he simply only dropped it, and for getting up. I was told she writes kids up for talking. What can I do

Asked by Momof2 over 6 years ago

You can ask for the video tape to be pulled off the bus and reviewed by the administrators. Truthfully if he was consistently not staying in his seat and the administration saw that, then they are justified in suspending him. He may also have thrown an object not just dropped it. Point is there should be video of the incident in question. If he was suspended unfairly, the video would show and clear his name.

There is also a video of a bus driver blowing a whistle in a kids ear and yelling at him.

Asked by Jeff almost 7 years ago

Thats unacceptable.

Can a bus driver with a bus load of kids get off the bus to assist with a motor vehicle collision if they secure the bus, take the keys, and put a responsible and trustworthy older student in charge?

Asked by Luke almost 7 years ago

Depending on the situation would be when I'd make that judgement call. Typically its best to not interfere unless life is at stake and you know you can save a life.

Is it true that some bus drivers pull in to a school and wait 30 minutes even a hour just to be the first ones there? If you where a supervisor would you allow buses to wait as long as some do?

Asked by Rodney over 6 years ago

Yes it's true at least for my district. Personally that is on individual bus drivers call but as for me I am not a babysitter therefore i refuse to wait any longer than i have to.

When do you usually write citations? Do you use them frequently or only in extreme situations?

Asked by Dan over 6 years ago

Generally I save citations for extreme situations like if a kid punches another kid in the face and blood is drawn or if a weapon is brought on the bus. There are some drivers that will write a kid up for nothing or minor stuff. The only other time I might use a citation is if I've exhausted going to the parent and the parent has refused to do anything about the behavior. Then and only then do I document what I've done and send it on to the school to handle.

What do when the subs are useing old route maps and stopping by a sex offenders house and the driver just screams at me "DON'T TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB!" or worse tells me to shut the hell up and let her drive or she will pass it and make me walk

Asked by ?? about 7 years ago

Call the bus shop and ask them to redo the route in the system. Also another way to get on a substitutes good side is for you to offer to show them the route then be good about telling them turn left, turn right, stop just after this white mailbox, green trash can, orange car.... etc. The less a sub has to deal with other kids screaming in their ears the better.

What happens when a school bus has to enter gated neighborhood like how do you open the gate?

Asked by Mr. Dr. Professor Patrick about 7 years ago

The bus driver is given the code by the association that owns the gate and generally like everyone else has to press in the code to open the gate. Some gated communities are open during certain periods of the day like commuter times to allow buses in and out. Some are open during the day and close only at night. Some require a remote to open and the bus is provided with that. There's ways around it. Some communities have a gate guard that will let a bus in and out.