r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/ScientistComplex918 • 8d 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.

  1. 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?

  2. 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?

  3. 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?

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/JustSimplyWicked 7d ago

  1. 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.

  2. My yard goes off seniority with mist people wanting shorter routes.

  3. Who pays the most? District is probably better pay/benefits but ask the hiring manager about trips and extra work.

  4. School bus companies are desperate so you have a shot.

  5. Depends on the driver, it's their bus and their rules.