If you’re getting ready for an interview to be a school bus driver, you’ll probably be asked about your skills, experience, and personality. Reviewing these commonly asked questions and formulating your answers can help you feel more confident and prepared.
Landing a job as a school bus driver at First Student requires more than just a clean driving record and CDL license You need to demonstrate extensive skills in safety, customer service, organization, and dealing with disruptions beyond your control.
That’s why your interview will dig deep into your ability to handle the key responsibilities of safely transporting students day in and day out. Understanding the types of questions you’ll face is the first step in preparing winning confident responses.
This comprehensive guide outlines the 25 most common First Student bus driver interview questions along with examples of strong answers. With the right preparation, you’ll prove you have what it takes to excel as a driver for this transportation leader.
An Overview of First Student
First Student is the largest provider of student transportation in North America. Every day, their team of drivers transports over 1 million students across 38 states.
Safety and customer service are core values. Their drivers go through a lot of training and are held to high standards when it comes to following the rules, keeping students interested, and handling emergencies. Many students see you as the face of First Student because you are a driver.
Why First Student Interview Questions Focus on Safety and Responsibility
Transporting students between home and school is an enormous responsibility. People trust First Student to always get their kids to and from school safely.
As a result, First Student interview questions dive deep into your understanding of safety procedures and your ability to make responsible decisions under pressure. Questions will assess your:
- Knowledge of traffic laws, vehicle inspection protocols, and emergency response procedures
- Experience working with children and maintaining discipline
- Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in difficult situations
- Willingness to take safety precautions that go above basic requirements
- Commitment to punctuality and establishing positive relationships
Giving comprehensive answers that instill confidence in your commitment to student wellbeing is key.
25 Common First Student Bus Driver Interview Questions and Answers
1. Can you describe your experience with customer service, particularly in the context of transporting passengers?
Strong customer service skills are essential for First Student drivers. When you drive students somewhere, you should make them feel at ease, heard, and cared for.
Emphasize any experience positively engaging with passengers through communication, creating a peaceful environment, and responding promptly to issues. Share an example that demonstrates your understanding that customer service is about more than just driving from Point A to B when passengers are involved.
2. How familiar are you with local traffic laws and regulations for school buses?
First Student needs to know you have command of the rules specific to operating school buses, including obeying lower speed limits, stopping procedures, and understanding when lights should be activated.
Respond by summarizing:
- The laws in your state regarding stopping, signaling, and speeds for school buses
- Requirements for performing safety checks before starting routes
- Laws about when to use flashing lights and stop sign arms
- Proper use of mirrors and reference points when maneuvering a large vehicle
Confirm you will obtain all required licensing and complete any necessary training.
3. In case of an emergency situation on the bus, what would be your course of action?
Student safety is the priority in an emergency, so reaffirm this. Explain you will first pull over and park if doing so doesn’t pose additional dangers. Provide examples of types of emergencies and your response like evacuating in a fire or administering first aid after an accident.
Emphasize you will follow First Student emergency protocols, communicate clearly with students, and ensure orderly actions like evacuation or checking student roster. Make your top goal calming students and keeping them from harm.
4. Have you previously worked with children or young people? If yes, can you explain how this could benefit you in a Bus Driver role at First Student?
Any experience supervising, teaching, or mentoring children helps you understand and respond to their needs. Share an example of a time you maintained discipline and safety with a group of youth. Explain skills like patience, recognizing issues early, and de-escalating disruptions carry over to monitoring students on a bus.
Even if you lack direct experience, you can highlight skills with clear communication, accountability, and creating a welcoming environment. Say you look forward to building rapport with students by learning their names and maintaining orderly, consistent rules.
5. What steps would you take to ensure student safety while they’re on board your bus?
Reinforce that student safety is your top priority. Detail:
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Performing thorough pre-trip bus inspections for any issues
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Enforcing rules about seatbelts, staying seated, keeping aisles clear
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Teaching safety procedures like loading/unloading and emergency evacuation
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Reporting incidents and concerns to dispatch using proper protocol
Emphasize learning students’ names, needs, and proactively addressing behavior problems before they escalate as other safety measures.
6. How do you maintain concentration over long periods of driving?
Distracted driving is a major risk, so interviewers want to know you actively focus. Share tactics that work for you:
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Taking brief but frequent breaks for stretching and water
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Listening to upbeat music or content to engage your mind
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Scanning mirrors and dash frequently to reinforce active viewing
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Avoiding big meals before driving that can cause fatigue
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Staying hydrated and dressing comfortably to avoid physical distractions
Discuss any training on maintaining alertness and mental energy during extended driving.
7. Can you discuss any experiences where you had to manage disruptive behavior on the bus, and how did you handle it?
It’s essential you can maintain order and discipline with students. Share an example of successfully quieting disruptive students using:
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Clear warnings about consequences for continuing and rewards for cooperation
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Separating or isolating disruptive students from other kids
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Finding causes like boredom and redirecting with positive attention
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Following up with parents and school officials to address chronic issues
Emphasize safety is always the priority. You stop the bus or pull over if necessary before addressing any behavior diversion.
8. Can you talk us through your process for pre-trip vehicle inspections?
Proper pre-trip inspection is crucial, so demonstrate you understand the full check process. Explain inspecting:
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All external features – lights, tires, mirrors and glass, leaks
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Emergency equipment like fire extinguisher, first aid kit, reflectors
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Internal controls – steering, brakes, horn, windshield wipers
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Fluid levels – oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid
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Safe operation of doors and windows
Confirm you know how to document any issues and will notify dispatch of problems that require repair.
9. How comfortable are you operating a bus in adverse weather conditions?
School bus service continues in many types of inclement weather from snow to heavy rain. Share an example of safely driving a vehicle during a storm, being extra vigilant of road conditions and adjusting speed and following distance.
Discuss experience driving in winter weather. Mention essential skills like snow driving, maintaining control on ice, and checking visibility. Confirm you know how to operate features like windshield defrosters.
Ultimately, emphasize you’ll exercise maximum caution and won’t operate if conditions truly become unsafe. The priority is student wellbeing.
10. How have you handled situations when your route was unexpectedly disrupted or changed?
Bus drivers need to think quickly when an accident, road closure, or other factor forces a sudden detour. Demonstrate your adaptability and problem-solving.
Share an example of efficiently assessing alternatives and rerouting passengers safely. Discuss skills like:
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Staying calm and keeping passengers informed
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Knowing alternate local routes and using GPS
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Considering traffic patterns and conditions to optimize new route
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Contacting dispatch to inform school of changes
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Prioritizing safety first when improvising
11. Are you certified in first-aid procedures and CPR, and if not, would you be willing to obtain these certifications?
Most school bus drivers are required to have some first aid and CPR training in case of student injury or illness. If you’re already certified, provide details like issuing organization and expiration date to demonstrate you stay current. If not, express willingness to immediately get certified if hired. Emphasize understanding the importance of emergency response skills in this role.
12. Do you have experience with wheelchair accessible vehicles and assisting passengers with special needs?
Sensitivity and skills for accommodating students with disabilities is important. Share any experience safely securing wheelchairs on lifts or ramps and properly restraining. Describe assisting vision or hearing impaired students and special needs.
If you lack exposure, confirm you will learn all procedures to ensure students of differing abilities are transported safely and made comfortable.
13. Can you share examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your punctuality and reliability?
Bus drivers need to be on-time every day to keep student learning on schedule. Provide examples of maintaining consistent arrival times for previous jobs. Discuss strategies like allowing extra commute time, keeping back up clothes in case of spills, and having contingency plans for vehicle breakdown.
Emphasize you understand parents trust First Student
Can you discuss your familiarity with GPS systems and/or other technologies used in school buses?
How to Answer: In your answer, you should talk about any experience or knowledge you have with the kinds of technology that are common on school buses. This could include GPS systems, communication devices, and even safety equipment. It’s important to list any training or certifications you have in these areas and talk about how you’ve used these technologies to make your routes safer and more efficient in the past.
GPS systems have been used by me in the past to plan and follow routes and to find out where the bus was. I also know how to use two-way radios and do so to talk to the school and other drivers when necessary. As for safety gear, I’ve used video surveillance systems and student tracking systems to make sure that the kids on my bus are safe. I’m also trained in how to use AEDs and have cards for first aid and CPR.
Can you describe a time when you had to deal with unexpected traffic or road conditions? How did you ensure the safety of the students on your bus?
How to Answer: The interviewer is looking to see how you react under pressure and unexpected situations. Describe a specific situation where you faced this challenge, explain the problem, and how you handled it. Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain calm under pressure.
Example: One winter morning, when I was driving the school bus, we encountered an unexpected snowstorm. The roads were becoming slick and visibility was decreasing. I knew I had to ensure the safety of the students on my bus. I immediately slowed down, activated the hazard lights, and kept a safe distance from other vehicles. I also reassured the students, explaining the situation and the measures I was taking. I stayed calm and focused, ensuring that we reached school safely albeit a bit late. I believe that in such situations, keeping calm and making safety a priority is crucial.
BUS DRIVER Interview Questions & Answers!
FAQ
What to expect at the first bus assessment?
What questions do school bus drivers ask?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various school bus driver interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What led you to become a school bus driver?
What should a school bus driver know before an interview?
The interviewer is looking for a candidate who is aware of all the rules and regulations that apply to their job and can follow them. Before the interview, make sure you research and understand all of the laws and regulations that apply to school bus drivers in your state.
What do school bus drivers do?
School bus drivers are responsible for the safety of the students on the bus. They need to know how to handle any situation that may arise, including unruly students. This question helps the interviewer understand how the applicant would handle a difficult situation, and what strategies they would use to maintain order on the bus.
What skills should a school bus driver have?
When answering this question, you should focus on the skills that are essential for a successful school bus driver. These include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
