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* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJOBSSM (for jobs in California) OR JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide) |
California Occupational Guide Number
578
Interest Area:
Mechanical - Skilled Occupations
2002
WHAT DOES A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER DO?
SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS operate gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas, or electric school buses to transport students from their neighborhoods to schools or school activities. They perform the following tasks:
WHAT SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT?
The following skills, knowledge, and abilities are common to School Bus Drivers:
WHAT’S THE WORK ENVIRONMENT?
All buses are heated and some are air-conditioned; however, Drivers experience heat, cold, rain, or wind because they frequently must open the door and sometimes escort students across the street.
School Bus Drivers occasionally deal with unruly student passengers. They may sometimes experience the stress of heavy traffic conditions, time schedule commitments, and delays. On the other hand, many Drivers enjoy the opportunity to work without direct supervision while being responsible for the bus and passengers.
Union Membership
School Bus Drivers often belong to unions such as the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Transport Workers Union of America, the United Transportation Union, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
WHAT’S THE CALIFORNIA JOB OUTLOOK?
The following information is from the occupational projections produced by the Employment Development Department's Labor Market Information Division:
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Estimated number of workers in 1998: |
25,000 |
The number of School Bus Drivers is projected to grow faster than average compared with all occupations between the years 1998 and 2008.
Trends
The number of School Bus Drivers is expected to increase as a result of growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments. Additionally, more families are moving to suburban areas outside of the cities where school buses are increasingly used to transport students.
WHAT DOES THE JOB PAY?
California Earnings
School Bus Drivers 2001 Wages
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Hourly wages range from |
$10.36 to $15.39 |
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Average hourly wage |
$12.83 |
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Average annual wage |
$26,670 |
Hours
Most School Bus Driver positions are part-time, with many drivers working 20 hours per week or fewer, and splitting their time between morning and afternoon shifts. Most Drivers work a ten-month year; some districts, however, have year-round sessions.
Benefits
Benefits usually include sick leave, medical and life insurance, and retirement programs. However, School Bus Drivers rarely receive vacation pay since they do not work when school is not in session. School Bus Drivers on permanent status enjoy holidays that occur during school sessions.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE JOB?
Education and Training
Employers usually require a high school diploma. The legal minimum age is 18 to drive a bus within the state. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive a bus across state lines. Drivers over 70 must pass an annual medical exam.
Licensing and Certification
The California Highway Patrol oversees and requires the following for each School Bus Driver:
Applicants must complete a minimum 40-hour training program (20 hours of classroom and 20 hours of instruction behind the wheel) to qualify to take the exam. School Bus Drivers normally must pass oral and written exams given by State-certified instructors who work for school districts, private schools, or private school bus contractors.
Many school districts do not require prior bus driving experience. However, prospective Drivers must be able to obtain a California Class B driver's license. To qualify for the required Class B license endorsed for passenger transportation, applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination by a medical doctor that includes a vision test. The license is issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
A School Bus Office Coordinator is located in each local California Highway Patrol area office to help job seekers with the School Bus certification process.
School Bus Drivers must have a clean police record. Most employers check official motor vehicle records. All employers require drug testing prior to hiring and test employees randomly.
Applicants must be able to read schedules, traffic and road condition signs, and keep accident and mileage record reports.
Continuing Education
School Bus Drivers need to take ten hours of in-service training each year to keep their certificate current.
HOW DO I FIND THE JOB?
Job seekers should apply directly to school districts, private schools, or private school bus contractors. They may also want to register with local unions, check newspaper help wanted ads, and network with Drivers who are currently working.
Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. Private firms are listed in the yellow pages under Buses-School Transportation Services. California job openings can be found at various online job-listing systems including CalJOBSSM at www.caljobs.ca.gov or at JobCentra National Labor Exchange at www.jobcentral.org.
For other occupational and wage information and a listing of the largest employers in any county, visit the Employment Development Department Labor Market Information Web page at www.calmis.ca.gov. Find further job search assistance from your nearest Workforce Services Office www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Workforce_Services_Offices_by_County.htm or the closest One-Stop site, www.servicelocator.org/.
WHERE CAN THIS JOB LEAD?
School Bus Drivers occasionally move from part-time status to full-time status after a period of months or years on the job with an employer. However, most School Bus Drivers who desire higher wages or full-time work switch to transit or inter-city bus driving, taxi driving, or truck driving. Some School Bus Drivers become School Bus Driver Instructors.
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Highway Patrol
Commercial Vehicle Section/062
P. O. Box 942898
Sacramento, CA 94298-0001
(916) 445-1865
California Department of Education
Office of School Transportation
3500 Reed Avenue
West Sacramento, CA 95605
(916) 375-7100
Department of Motor Vehicles
Commercial Driving License Unit
P.O. Box 944278 - MS-G204
Sacramento, CA 94244-2780
(916) 657-5771
California Association of School Transportation
Officials
P.O. Box 71165
Bakersfield, CA 93387
(661) 852-5900
Employment Projections by Occupation
Employment and Wages by Occupation
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES | |
No. 2 | |
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES |
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53-3022 | |
Bus Drivers, School |
53-3022.00 |
Bus Drivers, School |
97111 |
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles) | |
Bus Driver, School |
913.463-010 |
Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, go to: