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

What happens if a Kindergartner needs the bathroom while on the bus? Do you make a stop?

Asked by CT Mom over 5 years ago

That depends on the distance to the home. If the child is still 45 minutes from getting home, we will often make a decision to let them use the restroom at a school approved location (ie another school or the board office or the bus barn) Little kids are not as able to hold their bladders like older kids are.

Would my district change the write up system from the drivers would choose how many days off the bus change to it has to got through a administrator who may or may not do anything and could even go all out and give a extreme punishment. I know some drivers have abused the system or not used it at all but how is this better?

Asked by 933738292 over 5 years ago

I wish we had this system. It would cut out the middle man, though I think that some oversight is needed if a driver does abuse it, like if a child has been written up more than 3 times and kicked off the bus, then future issues need to be handled through administration and driver collaboration. The problem facing drivers is that parents refuse to see their child could be a problem.

Why do kids and teens freak out over even a minor change? If it’s not something their used to you will have at least have of them freak out most of the time I noticed. Or have you not witnessed that?

Asked by Good person about 5 years ago

It depends on the kids and the route and the driver. When i was subbing on routes, i got to know several routes regularly as well as the kids on those routes. Once the kids were confident that i knew what i was doing, they often treated me like they did their regular driver.

How do I not get a certain sub again? I always get complaints on her and she messes with seat controls, changes the radio station, leaves windows down, climate controls, etc. I also get a lot of negative feedback about her.

Asked by Glynn over 5 years ago

So you expect a sub to not adjust a seat and mirrors to help them do their jobs? Things like that are a safety concern for the students. If a sub cannot see adequately out the mirrors and out the dash board you are putting the kids at risk. As far as leaving windows down, the sub should put the windows up. Radio stations are an easy fix. Have the driver put their favorite stations on a separate band. Generally radios have 3 bands of FM radio available. When they plan to be out, simply inform them to switch the band that way their presets are not messed with.

Also, I assume drivers get a lot of days off since they can get subs would I be right or wrong?

Asked by 05689 about 5 years ago

Even in this crisis we still have a driver shortage.

You know every Karen in the neighborhood wants their kid to be the first one home so she can get them to soccer practice

Asked by 7390875r about 5 years ago

Well Karen, go sit in the parent pick up line yourself. Lol.

Hi what are some things that you think would make school buses more efficient and how do you do your pre trip inspection?

Asked by Merry over 5 years ago

Good question. I would love a way to check brake lights and back up lights without having to have two drivers. Newer buses have an exterior light check button that the driver can press and it flashes all the lights in sequence so you can see that they're active and available. As for other efficiency concerns, that is left up to the individual driver for customization.