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 almost 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 a bus driver alowed to discharge a kid off the bus with no other adults miles from home/school etc?!

Asked by Annie about 7 years ago

Define "miles". Most people have a misconception of how far a student is actually allowed to walk and in most states it is right at a mile or a little less. That being said, if the bus left a child on the side of the road without it being a legal bus stop then they are not allowed to do that. However, if you're upset your child had to walk a little bit in inclement weather, please join us or decide to drive them yourself.

Is there vacuum operated stop signs anymore?

Asked by Jj almost 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.

I am interested in being a driver and I would like to know what the DOT exam is like and if I am overweight would I be hired

Asked by Vic about 7 years ago

It depends on your region how the DOT physical works though typically it is pretty standard. If your BMI is too high they will send you for a sleep study before they will approve you to drive a bus or any large vehicle like a semi or tractor trailer. If you have diabetes as long as it is well controlled on pills or diet you will be OK. As of right now insulin dependent people are not able to drive a bus. Though that may vary by region. Your sight and your hearing must be OK and your blood pressure must be within normal limits.

Other drivers use them to help us?

Asked by Dale over 6 years ago

Unions are slippery slopes.

So a judge could not do anything even if he or she wanted to. Honestly that was all I wanted to know is if it was legal or not. Again I am not going to do it and I don’t want the bus driver arrested or sued. Sorry and thank you.

Asked by Samantha over 6 years ago

You're welcome.