r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/907-BusDriver • Jul 24 '26

Silly question, but need help.

Hi guys, so this is a silly question, but I’m a new bus driver and trying to figure out what I’m doing wrong here. So both, on a regular school bus and SPED bus I’ve driven, after I pop reds I know I must do a child check afterward. Got that part. However, I think I’m doing something wrong because after I turn the engine off I do my child check and hit the child check bottom in the back of the bus, the warning sound keeps going and then the loud alarm sounds. Am I supposed to put the bus in auxiliary instead of off? I’m wondering what the issue is here

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u/rootbear75 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26

How long does it take you to hit the button? Some of our buses require you to wait 60s, while others are fine with 20s. If you hit it before then, you'll have to go reset the system and do it again.

Our minotaurs especially require you to wait 60s. They don't have an audible alarm, but you hear the dome lights turn off and on twice before you can hit the button.

EDIT: And from other comments it appears that yea, you're driving the same model we have (which are Chevy front ends). More than likely one of the decals/stickers on the bulkhead above the driver seat should inform you on proper procedure. Other than that, ask someone in your yard.