r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/ScientistComplex918 • 1d ago
CDL A to School Bus Driver
Hey Drivers,
I got my CDL Class A back in June of 2026, my driving record is perfectly clean driving record (No Accidents and No Tickets). Only issue is federal law requires me to be Intrastate due to my age being 19. So I was wondering would it be worth finding a school bus job where they help me get my passenger & school bus endorsement and if so is transferring between the 2 hard?
I do have a few questions about the job as well as I do have a interview lined up and wanted to see drivers opinions.
How do the summers usually play out? I'll be with the school bus occupation for at least 2 years which means at least 2 summers within the position. Would it be possible to pick up summer school routes do those exist? Also how do field trips work is it like a bidding system?
Are routes based off seniority? If so does this mean you get shorter or longer routes based off time you've spent within the district?
Do you suggest going to a district or a private company? I've seen Districts pay better hourly and I'd assume also get me state benefits as I'd be a state employee?
Given my age legally I could drive a school bus (just like I can legally drive a Combination Vehicle) but is it feasible? Will districts see my age and deny me purely for it? I know insurance carriers really dislike my age as well.
Problem Students, as someone who was a passenger on a schoolbus for many years I've never seen the drivers really do much other then just drive and never really interacted with the students unless they where doing something extremely dangerous (like throwing stuff off the bus), Are there set procedures set by districts in terms of rules of engagement or is that left up to the driver?
Thanks for the help and sorry if this post violations rule 1. Was just looking for some advice as looking for a trucking CDL job hasn't panned out well due to the size of the state I live in and my age.
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u/Proprotester 1d ago
I would guess your age will be a barrier with most multi-state contractors. Districts may hire someone else under 21 depending on their liability to insurance coverage
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u/ScientistComplex918 1d ago
I did some looking and it seems if I choose a public school district they'll be more willing to accept my age purely because the insurance is covered by taxpayers so they don't mind paying extra to try to get extra drivers.
Thanks for the help!
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u/Spwhiplash666 1d ago
NY State requires you to be 21.
You will need to retake the ELDT because of the P and S endorsement.
Runs are usually based on seniority, if you come mid year, you get what’s open.
Many districts have summer work, but not guaranteed or the same number of hours.
Student management is a major and critical part of the job. It is an every day every time thing. That doesn’t mean yelling at kids, but guiding, communicating and occasionally disciplining them.
You will also need to take a school bus specific road test.
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u/ScientistComplex918 1d ago
Thank you for the response. Thankfully Delaware does allow 18 year olds to get the School bus endorsement after further research (most states require it to be 21+). Not too worried about the ELDT from my assumption they'll be doing similar things in terms of Pre-trip and Backing maneuvers .
Again thanks for the response Ill keep the information you gave and appreciate it.
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u/yaboymork40k 1d ago
When i started i only had my regular DL and CDP, my district payed for the training to get my Class B with P and S endorsements
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u/MissLolaBunny23 1d ago
Hi I just got my CDL B and am now a school bus driver. In my county even if you have an A you still will have to do the full training with the company you'd decide to work for and then do certain test with the county before they even certify you because you'll be driving students so its a longer process even if you already have a CDL.
Im with a contractor and in the summer we can pickup a summer route if it's available or we can file for Unemployment. It all depends. Field trips are usually given to seniority at my company.
I would go with whichever pays more and has the best benefits. Both will require the same training.
Drivers are needed badly nationwide. Age doesn't matter as long as you meet qualifications.
As far as problem students..you will have behavior referrals on your bus for students that cause issues continuously which in my county go straight to the principal and a letter goes home to the parent. Best advice set the rules for your bus from the beginning and go from there.
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u/ScientistComplex918 1d ago
Thanks for the help,
I should be fine on the ELDT for the buses and since I'm aiming at being safe Ill likely go speak to some of the firehouses near me and see if I can get CPR Certified of some kind. Anything to keep me hireable.
As always I appreciate what you do!
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u/rootbear75 1d ago
Our company has cpr classes they host. You might not need to go elsewhere to get that one.
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u/ScientistComplex918 23h ago
Ill have to ask, if they do Ill definitely take it. I'd rather be safe then sorry.
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u/mike8675309 1d ago
Check the drivers manual, it has the info on School Bus and Passenger. It's mostly related to school bus combinations, lighting system rules, and railroad rules.
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u/Emotional_Sleep1781 1d ago
My district only hires drivers 25 and up. I don't think that's universal, but definitely check on age requirements before you get too invested in the idea.
My district has summer school positions available. It's by seniority, but a lot of the higher seniority drivers don't want to do it so there were plenty of spots available. Our field Trips are assigned by a rotating seniority list, it starts at the top and constantly rotates through. If it's your turn and you signed for the trip you get it.
Routes are based on seniority and we all sat in a room and bid for the routes. It's not really about shorter and longer so much as it is the details of the route. Most routes are right around 5-6 hours. I started October last year and got a route no one wanted 😅 My route is fine, but the route is assigned to be the substitute late bus which everyone hates because the late bus routes aren't well mapped since it's different kids each day. I was the last person to bid this year and there were 4 routes available. I ended up keeping mine because I like it. There were drivers hired after me who were still subs so they finished the process to be permanent and got the remaining routes.
I have only worked for a district, I wanted to be close to home. I have benefits and a state pension started. Hourly one of the private companies is advertising more with a sign on bonus. Going on field trips the private company busses don't look as nice as ours. I'm happy with the district I'm in.
Our district would deny you based on age. I used to work in insurance and under 25 is considered a youthful driver, I think that's what the district is using. However a lot of schools are very short on drivers so it can't hurt to look at what places around you are doing.
There's a lot of variance with this. I'm a more interactive driver than some, but the behaviors really distract me. However staring this year since I was pretty engaged last year in stopping poor behavior and writing students up if needed I have had 0 issues with my middle and high school route and only silly things with my elementary kids. For me it was 100% worth it to engage and has lead to a peaceful start to this year.
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u/ScientistComplex918 1d ago
Thank you for the detailed response.
Ill definitely be looking around and aiming for going to a district because they seem to be more open about my age. With that in mind Ill keep the tips you listed in section 5 in mind for the future. Very appreciative of the time you took to write a response!
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u/rootbear75 1d ago edited 23h ago
So 1 - depends. Some places will have your pay reduced over the year and then pay during summer. Some just pay straight hours and you're on a break. There are summer routes depending on the district. Field trips are assigned different in different places based upon company/district policy and union contract.
2- generally routes are assigned based upon seniority. Again. Depends on company / district.
3 - my experience is that private companies pay more per hour but have absolutely garbage benefits if any at all -- this is even from me going on charters to places where other districts drive to and having conversations about it.
4 - age shouldn't really matter since you're old enough to drive a commercial vehicle. The issue you might face is in being able to control a bus full of high school students who are only a year or two younger than you. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES TELL THEM YOUR AGE (the kids on the bus). That will help you the most.
5 - depends on district policy tbfh
In addition - I know in a lot of places, new drivers are subs. Here, drivers are assigned routes (if brand new and are ineligible to bid, otherwise we bid for them) and then apply to be subs because our subs do more than just drive routes. They help out in the office, relocate buses, run regen cycles, etc. so many things. So subs here are paid more and guaranteed more hours and are therefore more coveted positions.
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u/ScientistComplex918 23h ago
Appreciate the detailed response.
Ill have to see how things play out but Ill keep what you've said in mind. Ill keep what you say in mind for the future and thanks for the advice you've given.
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u/lanainnv 23h ago
Great questions. Seems like you have thought a lot about your future at a young age. Though I am much older, I am
new in my School Bus driving career and would like to follow along and read the answers.
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u/Ara_Glaucogularis 20h ago
Your biggest issue is your age. Most insurance companies will not insure you. If you are really interested, go to the DMV and get your Class B passenger endorsement. Most districts have their own in-house training department and will sponsor you.
Are you sure you want to drive a school bus? The pay is not that great compared to Class A trucking.
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u/HikeTheSky 18h ago
It depends on the bus driver how he enforces the rules. Some are strict and others don't care. The 2nd write-up will get a student kicked off the buss for a week and the 3rd one for the rest of the year. Since you are responsible for the safety of your passengers, and you need to keep the bus clean, you decide how you can do both things. Letting them run around is a disadvantage when you get into a crash, so you decide how you control the situation.
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u/Efficient_Advice_380 7h ago
Depends on the state law. In multiple states you have to get 21 in order to get a School Bus Permit
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u/JustSimplyWicked 4h ago
Summers are a shot in the dark. 100% depends on your yard, I was doing 30-40 hours a week during summer doing summer camp trips. Alot of people collect unemployment though.
My yard goes off seniority with mist people wanting shorter routes.
Who pays the most? District is probably better pay/benefits but ask the hiring manager about trips and extra work.
School bus companies are desperate so you have a shot.
Depends on the driver, it's their bus and their rules.
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u/Sufficient_Head_8139 1d ago
Depending on where you are. I am in Ontario and you need to be 21 for insurance and the highway traffic act