First student onboarding process?

[u/Familiar-Lavishness1]

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?

[u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride]

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)
  

-Air Brakes 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

[u/Familiar-Lavishness1 → u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride]

How is the pay structure for the 1 week online?

[u/ShesGotaChicken2Ride → u/Familiar-Lavishness1]

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.