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Tag: how to be a school bus driver

Why Is There a Shortage of School Bus Drivers?

Posted on by American Bus Sales

It’s no secret that there is a nationwide school bus driver shortage. Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages have been even more of an issue than ever before.

Let’s look at some factors that may be contributing to this shortage:

Working as a School Bus Driver

Low School Bus Driver Pay

Nearly 25% of people have admitted to leaving their current job for a higher-paying job. Although you may enjoy your position, and it may be a rewarding career, sometimes you need a job that will keep you on track financially.

Many bus drivers seek other employment opportunities because their pay isn’t as high as expected. Typically, the average bus driver will make about $16 an hour.

School Bus Drivers Want More Hours

A school bus driver will work inconsistent hours. They’ll usually block off about 2-3 hours of driving in the morning and about 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Most times, these short days aren’t enough work for drivers, and even if they wanted to find a part-time job to kill time in between their drives, it’s practically impossible.

Drivers Are Hired Based on Experience

Many school bus companies will only hire drivers who already have their CDL and have driven for at least two years. If you don’t have this experience, it becomes very difficult for you to find a job in this industry.

When a company is looking to hire more school bus drivers, they may find it beneficial to hire those with little to no experience and pay them to train for the job. Investing in your employees will increase your chances of having them stay with the company for a longer period.

COVID-19 Has Impacted the Amount of School Bus Drivers

To no surprise, the current pandemic has not helped the pre-existing shortage of school bus drivers. Drivers who are at higher risk of getting the virus have taken this opportunity to retire because it’s not worth the potential health risk to continue driving.

What Can You Do to Keep Your Current Drivers?

Now that you have more information on why drivers have left their jobs in the past, it’s important to take this information and apply it to your company to help keep the drivers that you currently have. Besides familiarizing yourself with the reasons why bus drivers leave their job, here are some simple things that you can do for your current drivers to help increase their job satisfaction.

Offer Continuing Education for Your Drivers

Investing in your employees is a great way to establish a long-term relationship with them. It also shows your employees that you’re committed to them, and you believe in their potential. Besides offering continuing education classes and training, try offering additional classes to help with stress management or wellness programs to help drivers cope with the job’s stress!

Support Your Drivers

Your driver also needs to feel supported while on the job. Encourage your drivers to create their own rules and standards for their bus. They’ll love being able to have authority.

Also, don’t forget to provide administrative support for your driver if they have a difficult group of children or they need help assisting concerned parents. Overall, having administrative support will help make your drivers feel appreciated and heard.

Update the Technology on Your Buses

Updating your bus with the latest technology will make your driver feel safer, more efficient, and have a more enjoyable experience on the job. Whether you add a stop-arm camera to help improve safety or a GPS navigation to help them manage their routes, your bus driver will appreciate the upgrades!

If you’re ready to upgrade your current fleet, make sure you’re visiting American Bus Sales to install the latest technology in your school buses. We strive to provide our customers with the latest technology available for their new or pre-owned school buses.

Contact us today to learn more about our buses and unique services!

How To Become A School Bus Driver

Posted on by American Bus Sales
How To Become A School Bus Driver

Being a school bus driver can be an enriching career with many benefits. There are several required steps when pursuing becoming a school bus driver.  These include a variety of tests, a safe history of driving, and a CDL endorsement. The main task of a school bus driver is to safely transport students to and from school and other related activities. Drivers also have to obey traffic laws, adhere to driver policies within their school district, and be able to address students who misbehave while riding the bus.

Here are the specific requirements for becoming a school bus driver:

Requirements can vary from state to state, so you may want to research what you will need to become fully certified in the state in which you reside or plan to work.

To work as a driver, you must also be a U.S. citizen and be 18 years of age or older with at least a high school diploma.

Physical Exam – According to Federal law, all commercial drivers are required to carry a Department of Transportation medical card. This physical exam must be conducted by a licensed medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration National Registry.

This physical exam will need to be updated every two years during the drivers’ career to ensure that they can safely perform all of their required duties.

Drivers may also be required to pass a drug and background check. Because they will be transporting children, it is imperative that the driver is deemed safe.

Training – For people with no prior knowledge of school bus driving, there are training courses that teach the necessary knowledge and practical skills required for employment as a CDL driver. This is a prerequisite for taking the CDL test, which all school bus drivers have to complete. Prices for training courses may vary, but many schools offer to pay for driver’s training course fees.   

Commercial Driver’s License – Drivers will be required to have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). There are a few different types of CDLs; however, school bus drivers must have an (S) endorsement. This shows that they have passed additional tests specific to school buses.

How To Become A School Bus Driver

State Requirements – Requirements can vary from state to state, but most states require drivers to be first aid certified. Even if this is not needed, it is a valuable skill, especially for those working with children. This certification may also increase your chances of getting hired.

Practice – Before beginning your job, you may be required to practice with an existing school bus driver for several hours. This is an opportunity for you to learn the routes, specific rules for your school, and best driving practices.

Here are a few other skills school bus drivers should have:

  • Excellent Communication – School bus drivers will need to communicate with students, parents, and the school, so it is important that they are comfortable doing this in a clear and respectful manner.
  • Patience– Students can be particularly rowdy on the bus at times, and it is key for drivers to have patience and remain calm even in seemingly stressful situations.
  • Quick Reaction Time – Drivers need to react to changes on the road quickly to ensure their own safety and the safety of the students on the bus.

With these steps completed, you will be on your way to a rewarding career in the school bus driving industry.

Dedicated to quality and safety, American Bus Sales offers a variety of buses to suit a wide range of transit needs. Our professionally inspected pre-owned school buses, shuttles, and coaches are both safe and reliable. View our school bus inventory here!