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. Our 2025 Summer class is scheduled for July 21 - August 1. 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 US DOT physical every one to two years. In addition, all drivers undergo background checks and periodic drug and alcohol testing.

The starting pay for a school bus driver is currently $35.57 / hour for route drivers. The pay for substitute drivers is $29.44 / hour. Route drivers also receive benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, personal days off and retirement plans. Substitute bus drivers receive no benefits.  Drivers will receive pay for their 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.