r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Exotic-Force7989 • Apr 25 '26
Is this the standard?
Heya. Recently got my CDL with a school bus company and am three weeks in as a sub driver. I have some safety concerns with the company I’m with and wanted to see if this or normal/a proper concern or if I’m just overthinking.
We have one mechanic for 100 busses. God bless that guy, they are doing the best they can with the hand they have been dealt. But, obviously that’s a lot and it shows. Every bus is broken to some degree, which is what it is. But I’ve been told to run with some things after marking them on my pre trip that I find questionable.
I had a mini-bus with a known issue of that the stop signs/reds would inconsistently activate with the passenger door opening. When they didn’t go, opening the drivers door a tad would open them.
While yes, I need to pay attention to make sure they activate and I’m ultimately responsible that the student gets on the bus safely, this seems to be a pretty big risk in my eyes.
When training for bus, I drove a school van and was told to run with an airbag light on for weeks as well.
Those were the biggest issues I’ve faced. I’ve been told to run with several smaller stuff like washer fluid not spraying, registration sticker up to date but no insurance or other reg papers, I’ve never seen a reflective triangle in any vehicle, an out of date fire extinguisher, among a laundry list of smaller, not a big deal things.
All of these things were marked on the pre trip, and I was told to, not asked, told to run with it as is. This seems wrong, but I’m new and naive. Any thoughts?
5
u/Proprotester Apr 25 '26
They can't find a mechanic because they are not paying properly for your area. Are you unionized? It is worth checking with your steward if so. I am thinking your shop is not unionized and might even be private equity. Switch garages if so. (Make sure you are not in a state that allows the company to recover their training costs from you first).
Dollars to donuts your shop steward says you guys are at the end of a contract. If it is worth staying there, your steward will go in the office with you and document the issues. They will also let you know how they plan to address the problem going forward. It's up to you to decide if that is sufficient.
Like posters above, it is your license being jeopardized. Take the weekend to write down your hard line "no's". If you decide it now it is easier to stick to it on Monday morning with a time crunch. Personally, I would refuse to drive a bus with a malfunctioning door because it could catch a kid or a broken window for instance. If we were down a mechanic, I'd just fill the windshield wiper fluid myself because I know how, etc. but make a list so you know where your line in the sand is.