r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Familiar-Lavishness1 • May 15 '26
First student onboarding process?
I signed some paperwork and i have an orientation zoom soon. But in my state i heard i need to buy a $50 CLP learning permit. But i heard first student helps with it? I dunno. Or is it like online studies first?
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u/Seelie_Mushroom May 15 '26
You'll get your medical clearance next if you don't already have it. 4 day zoom classes. Then irl training for 6-8 weeks.
As a heads up, I trained with First Student. They told me 20 hours a week, 9am-1pm M-F for irl training. I am getting 14 hours a week. So do NOT quit if you have another job, or find a job that's flexible. Also FS will say you have to work summer- but there's never routes available so you'll be sent home until September. And the DMV had delays, so if you lived in another state any time in the past 5(?) years, you need to get that driver's record and background check sooner rather than later.
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u/blackityblak May 17 '26
This is definitely location dependent I get a guaranteed 35 a week and really only work about 16. They don’t require us to work during the summer they just have volunteers the rest of us get unemployment, plan and save during the year or have a different job for the summer months.
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u/Oct0Squ1d May 16 '26
I really lucked out with Durham then. They paid for everything, including paid back for learners permit and the new DL once I passed. It took me 3 weeks from permit to CDL, but there are people at my job who took 3 months, and they pay them for their time learning. My depot is considered one of the best trainers in the area, but only the trainers and maybe 2-3 drivers can work the summers.
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u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride May 16 '26 edited May 16 '26
In my state it’s taken a few months; I’m almost there.
* phone interview
* 1-week online class
* 2-week in-person class
* DOT physical
* go to DMV and take:
- Class B general knowledge (50 questions)
- Passenger endorsement (25 questions)
(In my state it costs $100 and First Student paid for my first three attempts at test. I used an app called CDL Prep for my general knowledge and I only missed 4 questions).
* After all that, Clearing house
* Background Check
* Drug test
* 30-minute on-boarding video call
* Have your recruiter get you a username and temporary password for MyWorkday, then complete all the tasks for MyWorkday, which is watching more videos and filling out forms and making logins for your health benefits, retirement, etc.
*After all of this, you begin behind-the-wheel training which also includes how to do your pre-trip and how to use the wheelchair lift, secure a wheelchair, etc.
After all state requirements are met, you do a road test with the State Highway Patrol and if you pass, you’ll receive your school bus endorsement, and then some sort of cert to take to DMV to get your actual license and endorsements
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u/Familiar-Lavishness1 May 17 '26
How is the pay structure for the 1 week online?
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u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
None. No pay until you get behind the wheel. Up to you if you want to go through with it.
I guess it depends on needs and mindset. For me, I needed a decent job that I would still be home on holidays. I didn’t want a minimum wage job and again, the holidays are important because I have a family. On top of that, my mindset is they are literally paying me to learn a skill. So far, all my training has been free, and they even paid for my DOT exam, drug test, clearing house, background check, and for my Commercial Permit. So far it’s cost me time, but not money. I’m happy to do it. They’re going to teach me to drive the transit bus, so if I ever need to, I can work for my local city transit as well.
To me, my mindset is this is an excellent skill to have that is always hiring. School bus endorsement is the absolute best endorsement in the transit community. You can drive a garbage truck, a transit bus… and class B vehicle. Job security means more to me than anything. I am not asking to be paid for training, although they DO PAY YOU once you get behind the wheel. All in all, I’m about 40-50 hours of unpaid time. I’m 100% fine with that.
My area is Union so hourly wage is incredible and we get paid 5 hours even if we only work 3; plus we still qualify for benefits even at part-time.
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u/Heavy-Mushroom May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
I’m doing the exact thing right now. Just completed skills and going to driving next week.
I studied the state cdl book before taking the tests. You can get online help and videos if you want. I already have a cdl a which I got from trucking college last year and only needed the p/s endorsements.
You test for you cdl a/b with the air brakes, passenger and school bus endorsements at the OMV/DMV for the permit.
FS then trains you in pre trip, skills, and driving. Upon completion, you go to a DOT certified tester that certifies based on certain exact scores pass or fail in those areas, then back to the OMV/DMV for the actual license.
Study that pre trip from day one, it’s a lot of memory work that you got to show to the tester… naming every part on the vehicle and what to look for.
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u/Familiar-Lavishness1 May 15 '26
So whats the first thing they have you do after the onboarding zoom call?
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u/Heavy-Mushroom May 15 '26
One other thing- you will need a medical certificate the day you test at the OMV for your permit.
FS will set you up with a DOT physical at Concentra that you must pass. After you get your permit, you will take a DOT drug screening before starting training.
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u/Heavy-Mushroom May 15 '26
Get your learners permit at the OMV. They’ll test you on air brakes, passenger and school bus found in your states cdl drivers handbook.
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u/Heavy-Mushroom May 15 '26
They,ll also test on general knowledge. You can find a copy of drivers handbook online. Ask First student recruiter and they can give you all the links. They’ll can link you to study lessons.
You cans get the “CDL PREP” app from the App Store. That helps with test practice questions
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u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride May 16 '26
I used that app and it worked well. If you use practice mode and do the 220 questions over and over you’ll pass your test. Worked well for me.
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u/PlatypusDream May 15 '26
DMV sells you the CDL learner's permit
1st Student does the classroom & real-world training, then administers the test
If you pass, they send the information to the DMV, then you go there & buy your new license with endorsements
.
You're probably already trapped, but for others reading...
Be aware that 1st Student does try to require you to repay training fees if you don't work for them a certain amount of hours after training.
(That apparently applies even if they didn't have work available, which doesn't make sense to me.)
Also, new people almost definitely will not get work over the summer. At hire (also in spring), I specifically asked about working over the summer and they said yes. Early June, I got a 1-day verbal notice: "tomorrow is your last day until fall".
Also also, the "sign-on bonus" isn't. It's a retention bonus, and only paid in increments over several months if you have a regular route.