Is becoming a bus driver right for me?
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How to become a Bus Driver
A bus driver needs to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and complete a short training program. Federal regulations do not allow people to become bus drivers if they have a medical condition that may interfere with their operation of a bus, such as high blood pressure, or epilepsy.
The training period lasts from one to three months. Part of the training is spent on a driving course, where various maneuvers with a bus are practiced. Driving in light traffic is next, and eventually practice runs on the type of route a bus driver is expected to drive. After the training period, new bus drivers are accompanied by an experienced driver who gives helpful tips, answers questions, and evaluates the new driver's performance.
Some of the training is spent in the classroom, learning the rules and regulations, state and municipal traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Drivers also learn about schedules and bus routes, fares, and how to interact with passengers.
Opportunities for promotion are generally limited, but experienced drivers may become supervisors, dispatchers, or instructors.