Arkansas Department of Education
Bus Driver
Position Guide and Job Responsibilities
Responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school‑aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Conducts pre‑trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.
Primary Function
Responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school‑aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Conducts pre‑trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.
Illustration of Key Responsibilities and Job Duties
Communicate with the Transportation Director for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers, including communicating orally while the bus is in motion when needed.
Ensure the bus can be operated safely before driving and conduct pre‑trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, extended stop arms, and door‑opening devices.
Operate the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned bus stops, and watch to ensure that no passenger on the way is left behind.
Keep assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre‑day light and dusk periods, and make every effort to be on time while ensuring safety.
Obey all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined by the CDL manual, School Board Policy and local ordinances.
Observe all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keep all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
Secure wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
Maintain student discipline on the bus and enforce rules governing student conduct, including through oral communication when the bus is in motion.
Report undisciplined students to the proper authority and compile written reports as requested.
Conduct semi‑annual bus evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education and implement evacuations as required in an emergency to include safely exiting from the rear of the school bus.
Report all accidents immediately, request police or ambulance service as needed; assist injured persons until services arrive; and complete required accident reports.
Notify the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
Regulate heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
Drive students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
Exercise responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on out‑of‑division school trips.
Return the bus to the assigned bus lot, perform a final inspection, and secure the bus according to procedures.
Participate in all required training.
Submit to drug testing when required.
Maintain a commercial driver’s license as required by the State Department of Transportation and maintain Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification.
Hear and communicate orally with students when the bus is in motion. Communicate via cell phone orally with the transportation director and nurses when the bus is pulled over in a safe location and not in motion. Communicate effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co‑workers.
Model nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
Keep the assigned bus clean.
Maintain an assigned seating chart.
Report all safety violations, including co‑workers/personnel suspected of drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs (including over‑the‑counter drugs) while working.
Perform any other related duties as assigned by the transportation director or other appropriate administrator.
Special Assignments
Bus drivers may be assigned other duties relevant to their assignment not specifically listed in this position guide.
Organizational Relationships
Bus drivers will report to the transportation director. They must conduct all duties in adherence with the Bald Knob Public Schools Student Handbook and school board policies.
Position Holder Qualifications
Hold a valid high school diploma or GED.
Possess a valid commercial driver’s license with air brakes to operate a school bus and pass background and fingerprint checks.
Meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.
Obtain basic first aid and CPR certification or acquire such prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course.
Excellent driving record in compliance with division standards, excellent driving skills, and successfully complete the school division’s bus driver training course.
Knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to the completion of the division’s training course.
Knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, local street and road systems.
Knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn how to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, and other restraining devices on a school bus.
Ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
Ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
Remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
Capable of working independently and possesses the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively and positively with students, parents, and faculty.
Employee Evaluation
Bus drivers will be evaluated by the Transportation Director according to district policy and Arkansas law for classified employees.
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Responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school‑aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Conducts pre‑trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.
Primary Function
Responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school‑aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Conducts pre‑trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.
Illustration of Key Responsibilities and Job Duties
Communicate with the Transportation Director for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers, including communicating orally while the bus is in motion when needed.
Ensure the bus can be operated safely before driving and conduct pre‑trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, extended stop arms, and door‑opening devices.
Operate the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned bus stops, and watch to ensure that no passenger on the way is left behind.
Keep assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre‑day light and dusk periods, and make every effort to be on time while ensuring safety.
Obey all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined by the CDL manual, School Board Policy and local ordinances.
Observe all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keep all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
Secure wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
Maintain student discipline on the bus and enforce rules governing student conduct, including through oral communication when the bus is in motion.
Report undisciplined students to the proper authority and compile written reports as requested.
Conduct semi‑annual bus evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education and implement evacuations as required in an emergency to include safely exiting from the rear of the school bus.
Report all accidents immediately, request police or ambulance service as needed; assist injured persons until services arrive; and complete required accident reports.
Notify the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
Regulate heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
Drive students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
Exercise responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on out‑of‑division school trips.
Return the bus to the assigned bus lot, perform a final inspection, and secure the bus according to procedures.
Participate in all required training.
Submit to drug testing when required.
Maintain a commercial driver’s license as required by the State Department of Transportation and maintain Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification.
Hear and communicate orally with students when the bus is in motion. Communicate via cell phone orally with the transportation director and nurses when the bus is pulled over in a safe location and not in motion. Communicate effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co‑workers.
Model nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
Keep the assigned bus clean.
Maintain an assigned seating chart.
Report all safety violations, including co‑workers/personnel suspected of drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs (including over‑the‑counter drugs) while working.
Perform any other related duties as assigned by the transportation director or other appropriate administrator.
Special Assignments
Bus drivers may be assigned other duties relevant to their assignment not specifically listed in this position guide.
Organizational Relationships
Bus drivers will report to the transportation director. They must conduct all duties in adherence with the Bald Knob Public Schools Student Handbook and school board policies.
Position Holder Qualifications
Hold a valid high school diploma or GED.
Possess a valid commercial driver’s license with air brakes to operate a school bus and pass background and fingerprint checks.
Meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.
Obtain basic first aid and CPR certification or acquire such prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course.
Excellent driving record in compliance with division standards, excellent driving skills, and successfully complete the school division’s bus driver training course.
Knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to the completion of the division’s training course.
Knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, local street and road systems.
Knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn how to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, and other restraining devices on a school bus.
Ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
Ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
Remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
Capable of working independently and possesses the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively and positively with students, parents, and faculty.
Employee Evaluation
Bus drivers will be evaluated by the Transportation Director according to district policy and Arkansas law for classified employees.
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