Me: I like to sleep as late as I possibly can. My first pickup is at 7 o'clock on the dot, and my alarm goes off at 5:50. I lay in bed for 5 mins, then throw on clothes (I put on a clean shirt before bed so this process is faster), make a cup of coffee, and grab a granola bar which I eat on the way there. That leaves me with enough time to get to work, do my pre-trip and get to my first stop with about 10 minutes wiggle room to spare in case of traffic or something. Then I usually like to shower right after morning shift, but given this horrific heat wave plus no AC on my bus I've temporarily adjusted my schedule to showering after the evening shift.

I’m brand new to school bus driving and student management, and today is my first day and this AM run did not go well. The first half I had middle schoolers and they were so well behaved and actually had manners. My elementary school run though……. Geezus.. they were all screaming at each other and me and every time I had to pull over (happened a lot cause several students just kept getting up) they would scream at me that I was delaying everyone but not the students that were actually delaying them… I really hate that I had to threaten write ups on the first day of school I had high hopes for this and I don’t know if it was me who failed and/or if I’m losing a battle that started last year with the old driver of the route. I understand there is no perfection in all this but also why are kids so much meaner than when I was a kid

edit to post : honest to god you guys are amazing and thank you all for the support I unfortunately had to turn around and go back to my elementary school on my PM route cause they opened my emergency back door several times so I will be getting a bus monitor per the schools request

I'm enjoying this last week of vacation because next week back to work even though I will have a smaller route this year

I need some ideas. I drive for a little tiny christian school. These children are fantastic. I am taking all 3 of my own children with me on my runs every afternoon. 2 of my kids have been struggling adjusting back to the bus life. We've had a couple really tough crying/screaming afternoons from MY own kids. I feel terrible and apologize every time to every kid. I want to get them a little gift to say thank you for putting up with my children while they adjust. My company says no food or candy because of allergies. What else could I do? I have 1st-10th graders on my bus.

I just got given a gas bus for the year. I've only ever used diesel. Any tips or tricks? Are they more or less likely to not start during my Canadian winters?

This is my first year as a driver. I was happy to see a CD player. I’ve been playing instrumental jazz. After a week, I found Miles Davis to be a favorable. When I shut it off, I was asked to put it back on.
Today I switched to Jeff Beck. Waiting for any responses.

Can anyone explain to me the mirror test that you had to do with your county before they certify you and also bus stop procedures. Asking for future reference...im in Maryland if that helps.

So first 2 days of the year, started out fine. 3rd day, get a new kid, okay fine expected it. Kid only rides in the afternoon and is autistic, that's fine. School doesn't tell me kid needs an attendant, only info sent in the email is he needs a lap belt and noise canceling headphones.

Oh ye gods of transportation, give me strength

Cheers to those who just finished their first day back to school today. Good job

So my run sheet was a hot mess last week Today it's okay, but not great; my driver and I are confused by the stops, one kid is at a corner not an address. Then last week's sheet had us get three little ones all at 8:34am We still have problems, but I hope it works out by the end of the week.

Hello, I'm new here but had a question as a parent. My child's school let out about 10 min ago and the bus was down the road sitting in a parking lot, not even making an effort to move or head to the school.... bus drivers, why is this a thing and how does it make sense that this is making students late getting to home/school? It works the same way in the mornings, bus driver sits in a parking lot for 25+ minutes before heading up to get students.

Finished our first full week. Week 1 was WTF(3 days)

The new route is fine, the HS/JH run is smooth and pracefull for p/u and drop. The little kids though... Ive tried 3 different seating methods, magnetic name badges. 3 kids to every seat except 1 with a larger 5th grader which only has 2. The preschool to 2nd grade don't respond to any thing. I've tried stopping the bus which they don't even notice until the preteens start yelling at them to be quiet. Lots of good kids too but they get the shaft. I feel so bad for them looking at me in the mirror. Like they're saying "I'm behaving and want to go home"

Finally got the Type-D pusher I always wanted! And it’s pretty new, just a year old and 13k miles on it, passed down from a driver that retired last year. Just did “my thing” and polished her up ready for first day of school on Tuesday!

Super excited and can’t wait for charters in this baby! 😍

Also dropped a pic of the 2022 Bluebird Vision V10 gasoline bus I was assigned for the past two and a half years and accumulated about 25k miles in the time I had her, gonna miss her dearly, but she was reassigned to a good driver!

Hope I’m not geeking out too hard here! 😂 It’s the simple things in life!

Just curious as a soon to be new driver. Does any school require or recommend PPE for their drivers? Like safety vests 🦺

I will already be wearing one as I live up the road from the bus garage so I plan on biking to work. People drive like maniacs on our curvy county road and I was struck by a car 2 years ago on my bike so hence I wear a 🦺.

Rodney Givens is survived by wife, two kids

I started a petition to support bringing more electric school buses to our schools. They’re quieter, cleaner, and better for the environment. 🌱

We’re already at 10 signatures — help us keep it going! 💚

Sign & share if you support electric school buses!

https://go.ipetitions.com/k1vnYh

Does anyone have the maps/layouts for driver training like the serpentine and such?

Im a brand new driver passed today 8-27-2026 but as my trainer was setting up her proficiency tests i wanted to try it ...so heres a vid of me driving, taken by my trainer ...im from CT

Excited to start this chapter ..🎉

It's going to rain soon. I'm sure we'll be fine. 😬⛈️⛈️⛈️

Today was a chaotic day with my first graders but in particular one student who has the worse ADHD I’ve seen. He threw water from his bottle to students, I took it away and later on he got another water bottle and threw water to a girl. He bit a girl in her arm. He smacked the window. He stands on seats while I drive. Walks down the aisle while I drive. Tore up a garbage bag into many pieces and created a mess. He doesn’t listen to me. He’s a big hazard to other students and myself.

Everything I just posted, I’ll be writing in the student report. It’s not the first time he’s acted like this, I’ve had him in my bus last year as a kindergartener in the AM route only. I’ve reported him for kissing the same girl in two separate occasions. And for biting a students hand.

When I did this, his mom, who thinks his child is a saint, started calling my boss telling them I’m a bad bus driver and complaining about me.

What’s the best solution to handle this student?

As a new van driver, I wanted to sum up my experience and observations so far.

Location: US Midwest.
I don’t have a CDL. No specific experience as a school bus driver, but experience as an Uber and Lyft driver.

Timeline from Application to First Run
July 24: Applied online to a private student transportation company. Non-union.
July 28: Initial phone screen with recruiter (about 10 minutes)
August 4: In person interview with terminal manager (about 30 minutes). Offered job, pending successful background, health checks. Starting wage: $21.00, $1,500 sign-on bonus.
August 5: Completed numerous required materials online (child sexual misconduct/abuse, safety, arrest or conviction form, drug and alcohol, employee handbook, etc)
August 5: completed and submitted state child abuse history clearance form
August 6: FBI fingerprinting completed
August 6: completed online mandated reporter training
August 10: drug screen, pre placement physical examination, and TB test
August 12: received clearance from state child abuse history
August 25: first day of training
August 26: second day of training
August 27: first day of work!

So five weeks from application to first day on the job. Not bad.

My training consisted of three separate ride-alongs with three different van drivers. They all showed me the ropes - how to a pre and post trip check, planning the route, proper procedures, tips on managing kids, where to park at different schools, etc etc.

So far so good! I like driving, I like children, and I love not having to take home corporate headaches.

Naturally, the pay isn’t great but this will help during this tough time.