What does it take to drive a bus? More than you might think! Bus drivers are faced with many unique challenges, and they have to have both the physical and mental skills to handle them all. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the basics of what makes driving a bus such an interesting job, plus tips on how to get into it if you’re interested in doing so! Let’s get started!
4 Things You Need to Know About Being a Bus Driver
A job as a driver can be rewarding, but there are some important things you should know before you apply. This is what you need to know about getting behind the wheel of public transportation. Read on for ten essential skills and techniques for staying safe when driving a school bus or public transit vehicle.
Dedication
Being a bus driver requires a lot of dedication and patience. A healthy dose of both will get you through some pretty hectic situations, since driving a big vehicle on busy city streets isn’t always easy. There will be days when you want to quit or even fail out because things just aren’t going your way, but remember that there are other people depending on you; if you give up easily, someone else is going to be driving your passengers.
Patience
You’ll be spending hours with strangers, often under less-than-desirable conditions. You’ll need patience and tolerance. The best drivers are those who can keep their cool when things go wrong—and they will go wrong, sometimes in spectacular fashion. A calm demeanor will help you stay in control of your passengers and prevent them from freaking out when they realize they’re lost or that traffic is backed up for miles.
A great driver is able to clearly communicate with his or her passengers, so don’t ever think that your English skills won’t be tested. If you aren’t confident in speaking English, make sure you brush up on all of your pronunciation, vocabulary, and communication techniques. Drivers are required to give passengers clear directions and helpful information about their route. The bus driver also has to maintain a friendly conversation with their passengers if they want good tips! You may even have some long-time regulars who look forward to chatting with you during their commute.
Clean Driving Record
You’ll need one in order to get your CDL. Without one, you won’t be able to earn a living driving bus, so get it checked out and keep those tickets at bay. You may be able to have some of them removed from your record if they are old enough; however, depending on their severity or what state you live in, you might be stuck with them. The average person has 3 moving violations per driver’s license – check yours now! Clean up your act today!
Safe Driving Record
When applying for most jobs, you’ll be asked about your driving record. You will need to report any tickets or accidents on your driver’s license, as well as how many miles you have driven over the past year. In addition, keep in mind that most employers prefer that drivers have at least three years of experience. Be sure to check out our list of CDL training courses if you are interested in acquiring additional driving experience before entering an application process.