Bus Driver

Bus Driver

The position is responsible for operating and transporting school age children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently to and from school and special events. Drivers of school buses should always keep in mind that they are responsible for transporting children whose lives depend upon their knowledge, alertness, and sound judgment.

Essential tasks include:

• Must be thoroughly knowledgeable in the fundamentals and techniques of operating school buses.
• Obey all traffic laws and observe mandatory safety regulations for school bus operations, adhere and comply with safety rules, motoring regulations and laws.
• Conduct a daily pre-trip safety inspection of the vehicle prior to transporting students according to state mandated guidelines.
• Conduct semi-annual bus evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education.
• Transport only authorized students.
• Load bus according to established procedures.
• Assign seats to all students, follow designated route schedule.
• Maintain assigned schedule and discharge students only at authorized stops.
• Ensure all students are accounted for and all runs are covered.
• Ensure student safety, maintain discipline on the bus.
• Report operating and equipment deficiencies.
• Maintain safety equipment and report unsafe bus conditions.
• Adhere to the preventive maintenance schedule and make bus available for periodic maintenance.
• Complete required forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Notify proper authorities in case of bus breakdown or deviation in schedule.
• Report all accidents immediately, requesting police or ambulance service as needed, complete required accident report.
• Wash bus, clean both inside and out, fuel bus as required.
• Transport students on field trips, outings, athletic events, and other extracurricular events.
• Attend all scheduled meetings.
• Perform related work as required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

Possess a good knowledge of the procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus, prior to the completion of the school division's training program. Transporting students to and from school each day is a responsibility that requires good physical health, professionalism, emotional stamina, positive attitude, determination, dedication, patience, understanding and skill. General knowledge of the problems involved in operating a school bus. General knowledge of the geographics of the county and the location of streets. Skill in the safe operation of a school bus. Ability to operate the vehicle safely over an assigned route according to the definite time schedule which may require driving during pre daylight and dusk hours. Ability to detect malfunctioning equipment. The ability to assist children using patience and understanding. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, associates and students.

Education and experience include:

High School Diploma or GED. A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Physical requirements include:

Physical dexterity, coordination, mobility and visual acuity to safely operate a school bus. Requires sitting, moving, lifting, climbing, carrying, stooping, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling. Must have the ability to drag 80 pounds and lift up to 50 pounds.

Special requirements include:

• Possession of a valid Virginia Commercial Driver's License. Minimum Class B, or Class A.
• Completion of all requirements of the bus driver training program offered by the school system.
• Pass a yearly physical examination as required by the Code of Virginia and regulations of the Board of Education.
• Annually furnish a statement or copy of the records from the Department of Motor Vehicles showing that the records of such department do not disclose that the person, within the preceding 5 years, has been convicted upon a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, convicted of a felony or assigned to any alcohol safety action program or driver alcohol rehabilitation program. Has not been convicted of two or more moving traffic violations or required to attend a driver improvement clinic by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Must reach the age of 18 on the first day of the school year.
• Local school bus driver training instructors shall hold a certificate of completion of an instructor course conducted or approved by the Department of Education and shall attend a recertification course every five years. Certification expires at the end of calendar year five.
• Submit to testing for alcohol and controlled substance that is in compliance with the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act.

Last Update: October 2024