Bus Driver FAQs

Yes. We provide a free training class for selected candidates where students learn everything necessary to become a licensed school bus driver. New driver training classes are usually held in August. Prior to the class students must obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). In order to receive a CLP, students must make an appointment online to take a CDL knowledge test at a DOL office, then study for and pass the relevant knowledge tests.

Yes. Accidents and traffic violations that have occurred within the last 5 years could disqualify you as a candidate.

Drivers are required to pass a Washington State Department of Transportation physical every one to two years. In addition, all drivers undergo background checks and periodic drug and alcohol testing.

The starting rate pay range for a school bus driver is currently $31.79 - $32.52 for route drivers. The pay for substitute drivers is $29.44/hour. Benefits such as healthcare, personal days off and retirement plans are for route drivers. Substitute bus drivers receive no benefits.  Drivers will receive pay for the actual training time as well.

Route drivers are assigned a route at the beginning of the school year and drive that same route every day for the year. They also are entitled to drive field and sports trips that do not interfere with their routes. Substitute drivers drive routes when the regular route driver is on leave and they drive all field and sports trips that route drivers cannot. Some substitute drivers wish to remain as substitutes while others are waiting for an opportunity to drive a route.

Typically there is a lot of work although it will vary from month to month.

Likely, in most years, routes are available. How many if any are a function of staff turnover. We are a union-based organization and follow a seniority system for assigning routes. When one becomes available, it is offered first to the most senior substitute driver and we go down the seniority order until the route is claimed.