Transportation & Boundaries

Transportation Office - School Bus Driver Facts

Did You Know …

• that school bus drivers must pass thorough knowledge and driving skills tests to obtain a special commercial driver’s license before they are allowed to drive a school bus?

• that school bus drivers must pass a separate knowledge and driving skills test required by the Idaho State Department of Education before they are allowed to drive a school bus?

• that the Boise School District requires an FBI criminal background check on all school bus drivers that drive the students in our district?

• that the driving record of potential school bus drivers is checked to insure that drivers with a history of unsafe driving are not hired as school bus drivers?

• that potential school bus drivers must pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing? Drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing while they are employed, including random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests.

• that new school bus drivers complete a minimum of 40 hours of training before they are allowed to drive with students on the bus? They also have a minimum of 10 hours of training before school begins each year as well as monthly training sessions during each school year and individualized training as needed.

• that there are 28 separate federal safety standards for the construction of school buses that are not required for any other vehicle? These standards pertain to warning lights and signals, mirror systems, rollover protection, passenger seating and crash protection, emergency exits, fuel system integrity, body joint strength, and flammability, just to name a few.

• that school buses are the safest form of motor vehicle travel in the United States?

• that approximately 25% of the Boise School District’s 27,000 students ride school buses to and from school each day? The District contracts with a private transportation company to provide this service.

• that school bus driving is not necessarily a part-time job? Many school bus drivers work full-time driving morning and afternoon routes, mid-day kindergarten and pre-school routes, educational field trips, athletic trips, occupational education shuttles, as well as charter transportation for non-school groups. Many summer educational programs also include transportation, so a number of drivers are employed year-round.

• that some school bus drivers are hired to drive solely for athletic trips? These drivers do not drive the students on regular routes to and from school. Instead they drive the athletic teams with their coaches to their competitive events in Boise and the surrounding area.

• that bus attendants are hired to ride on some of the buses that transport students requiring special assistance during their ride to and from school?

• that school bus drivers and bus attendants come from all walks of life? Current transportation employees include college students, college graduates, homemakers, retired military officers, former schoolteachers, pastors, retired firefighters, small business owners, and a wide variety of other fascinating people.

• that the booming economy in the Boise area has resulted in a shrinking pool of potential school bus drivers? Abundant employment opportunities have created fierce competition for high-quality service industry workers. Those interested in potential transportation job opportunities are encouraged to contact First Student Bus Services either by phone, (208) 854-5230, or in person at 465 W Gowen Road, Boise, Idaho between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.