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

So you think though if a sub came 20 minutes early and there was no notice and it was a mistake. That they should have sent the bus back or did something in that case? Do you think the sub would be reprimanded?

Asked by James almost 7 years ago

Reprimanded, no. As the rider you need to be ready for the bus to come at any point. Generally we tell our kids be ready 10 minutes early just incase. Generally if the sub is following the driver's instructions then it's your fault you missed the bus. Most buses stop and other kids are getting on at the same time.

Does it take a higher class CdL or certification to drive a Flat noes bus. Some subs wont drive them. They will take a regular bus and stick numbers on them. Or is it personal preference that they just don’t feel comfortable driving them?

Asked by D838373 over 6 years ago

Not to my knowledge. Some buses are still not automatic, though most buses made today are automatic, and unless the driver has trained on a stick shift bus, then they can't drive it. There is extra training required for buses higher than 72 passenger because of the length of the bus.

Flat nose buses are unique in that the driver sits in front of the front wheels so it takes a little extra awareness to make turns around corners. Some drivers get spooked by the feeling of driving a vehicle like that and prefer a traditional style. Personally, I've driven both.

Do any buses have Bluetooth or a audio jack so you can listen to what you want over the radio?

Asked by Gocohcc about 6 years ago

I can't speak for all buses but the newer buses in my district including my own have an auxiliary feature where i can plug in an aux cord and play music through my phone through the radio. I generally will play pandora Disney kids music or tween popular songs that are mostly clean lyrics. If i have only older kids on the bus like highschoolers, i will allow them to hook up to the aux cord themselves and play their music or use my phone to search pandora.

What do you do if little Jonny craps or pee pees his pants? Or both because usually when you poop you pee. Seriously though what would you do in that situation?

Asked by Mr. Knowitall almost 7 years ago

Depending on where we are, take him to the school or take him home. Depending on the situation like legitimate accident or little johnny is just being an ass will determine my next course of action. If he's being an ass, generally I'll write him up.

For me or the bus driver? I know that it is illegal and am not planning on bringing tobacco products on the bus. I am just legitimately curious because someone said they are suing the school pressing charges on his driver.

Asked by Samantha over 6 years ago

They can still attempt to sue the school and driver but then they'd have to explain why they had tobacco products on school property. According to the federal law it is illegal to bring drugs on school property. Tobacco is considered a drug. They'll be laughed out of the court.

Do you get to pick stops times? Do you draft your route and have it approved? Or is it picked by the company/district and it is what it is? What about if you wanted it changed.

Asked by San over 6 years ago

That depends on the district. Some districts choose for drivers other districts let drivers choose the stops and times. If you want something changed, talk politely to your driver about the policy on how to go about doing that.

The little image in the middle of the first question. Is that you?

Asked by Zz over 6 years ago

Thats probably an advertisement? I don't have any personal images on here.