Bus drivers transport people between different areas like a state or country. There are buses that are inter-city and thus the drivers need to drive buses from one city to another. Some also need to drive buses within the city like school buses or city buses. The bus drivers who work with some travel agency or a tour operator are required to take the travelers to various destinations. This is a very responsible job as the safety and security of the travelers depends on the bus driver. When it comes to the job of a school bus driver, the job has additional safety requirements and responsibilities.
The main responsibility of a bus driver involves picking up and dropping off passengers at bus stops or places like stations and schools, etc. A person who works as a bus driver has to stick to the strict time schedule he is asked to follow. They have to report on time at the places allotted and carry the passengers along to their destinations. He is the one responsible for taking care of the vehicle and keeping it in a good shape. He has to take care that the brakes and other parts of the vehicle are in good condition so as to lessen the inconvenience for the passengers.
Like all other jobs, this is a very responsible job and the person who takes it up should have certain qualities and characteristics. The bus driver needs to be alert and attentive. He has to minimize the number of accidents and take care of the travelers as well. During the course of heavy traffic, he has to make sure that accidents do not take place. While children are getting on and off the bus, the drivers need to pay special attention. They have to take care that the students behave properly and do not do actions that can harm them or others like sticking their hand out of the window. The nature of the bus driver needs to be courteous as he needs to deal with people everyday. People with a high-temperament should take care that they do not get aggressive during a jam or accident. They should also have good communication and managing skills in order to manage large number of people. They should be literate in order to be able to read instructions and road signs well.
Preference is given if the candidate is a graduate. One should be qualified as per the State and Federal regulations. A resident State-issued commercial driver's license (CDL) is a must for commercial motor vehicle operators.
He must be 18 years of age and must fulfill the minimum qualifications as stated by the Department of Transportation. They must pass the physical examination every other year. They must have good eye sight and hearing abilities. They should have normal limbs and must not suffer from blood pressure or diabetes. They should have no past history of taking drugs or a criminal background. They must also clear a written exam covering the U.S Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The drivers that work with different institutions and tour operators need to undergo training and obtain certifications before they can qualify for the job of a bus driver. They need a driver's license as well and should have no history of their license being canceled. The people who work as bus drivers should undergo training for one to four weeks. In this they will be given knowledge about the rules and regulations. This has to be classroom training to make the person aware of the policies as well as guide him to handle his job properly. He is also made to learn the emergency evacuation procedures. The institution such as a school or company has some rules and regulations and the drivers should be aware of that. The training requires the bus drivers to practice the routes and driving styles. The buses are heavy vehicles and this is why this needs to be done. They also have to take trial runs so that their skills can be improved.
The employers may have different preferences when it comes to employing people. They may or may not give importance to experience. Most of the employers do insist upon getting people who are experienced in driving buses or some other heavy vehicle. There is a minimum age limit in some states to qualify as a bus driver. In the case of jobs with intercity buses and public transport, only those people are employed that have a number of years of experience may qualify. Some of the states have different rules and may call for a background investigation as well.
There are a number of opportunities that are available for bus drivers. For career advancement, one can gain experience and become supervisors or own a fleet of buses and employ other drivers under them. They can open up their transportation agency as well.
The salaries may differ from institution to institution. Drivers working with private bus operators may get salary packages that are way different from those of the government bus drivers. The salaries can be like following. The salaries may range from approximately $8 per hour for family services while school bus drivers may get $12 for a single hour.
There are a number of companies that hire bus drivers. You can take up the job of a bus driver and earn good money. You can do this job on a part time basis as well. You can have good working opportunities with tour operators and government institutions as well.
