School Bus Driver Qualifications

Below are the qualifications needed to become a school bus driver for West Babylon Schools.

Before Being Employed

• CDL Class A or B license with a P (passenger) & S (school bus) endorsement
• Must be 21 years of age to drive a school bus
• Driving Abstract checked for tickets and accidents
• Three personal references
• Interview with Transportation Supervisor and Head Bus Driver
• Road test with Transportation Supervisor or Head Bus Driver
• Interview with Executive Director for Human Resources
• Interview with Superintendent of Schools
• Approval by the Board of Education
• Superintendent’s Approval in writing
• Fingerprinting (criminal history background check processed through NYS Division of Criminal Justice Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• 19A or D.O.T physical (Pre Employment)
• Physical Performance Test
• Drug Test (Pre Employment)
• SED-3 Hour pre-service completed before transporting students

Within First Year Driving

Must complete 30 hour basic course or have complete a basic course

Every Year

• Minimum of 2 two-hour refresher training sessions (given by a School Bus Driver Instructor)
• 19A or D.O.T medical physical
• Annual Defensive Driving Performance review (by a 19A Inspector)
• Must perform the first bus safety drills on each route within the first seven daysof start of school
• Annual review and personal interview of driving record
• Superintendent’s approval in writing
• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing

Every Two Years

• Behind the Wheel Road Test (given by a 19A Inspector)
• Written or Oral Test (given by a 19A Inspector)
• Physical Performance Test (given by a School Bus Driver Instructor)