An interview for a school bus driver position includes questions that determine applicants’ ability to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students.
That is why it is imperative for applicants to be able to provide the right information regarding their bus driving skills during an interview.
Firstly, a school bus driver applicant will be asked about his knowledge of driving a school bus safely.
Then, applicants will undergo a solid questioning session to determine how well they can handle the work.
In order to ace a school bus driver interview, make sure that you present your best skills at the interview session.
Concentrate on your bus driving skills, and the ability to ensure that all students are picked up and dropped off on schedule.
If you want to go through some possible questions that you may be asked at a school bus driver interview, take a look at the following:
19 Common Questions and Answers for School Bus Driver Interview
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
It has been 8 years since I began working as a school bus driver. Prior to that, I was working for commercial bus service. I opted to work as a school bus driver, as I enjoy children’s chatter, and genuinely love working in this environment.
2. Which kind of license do you possess?
I possess CDL Class B with passenger endorsement.
3. What are some of the duties that you have performed in a school bus driver position?
As a school bus driver, I have performed many duties including checking assigned buses before each pick-up and drop-off session to ensure that they are in good working order. Particularly, my duties include maintaining and cleaning a mechanically sound bus, ensuring that children are transported to and from school safely, and making sure that discipline is maintained on the bus. Additionally, my work includes reporting delays and malfunctions in a timely manner and charting short and safe routes to destinations.
4. What skills do you possess which make you an excellent person to hire as a school bus driver?
I am an extremely cautious individual, which helps ensure children’s safety at all times. In addition, I am well-versed in ensuring that assigned buses remain in good working order so that no midway mishaps happen. Also, I am competent in keeping the bus interior clean and sanitized at all times. Moreover, I am proficient in escorting small children across roads to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
5. What do you like most about your work?
I love the chatter that comes from the back when I am driving children to their homes, or schools. Since I have an inherent love for children, this makes my day every single day.
6. What do you dislike about your work?
Occasionally, I have to look after a child whose parents have not come to pick them up at the bus stand. While I love children and do not mind looking after them, it is not nice to see parents and guardians being so lax about little people who cannot fend for themselves.
7. What is your greatest strength?
My greatest strength is my ability to ensure children’s safety despite adverse circumstances.
8. What is your greatest weakness?
I have been told that I care too much about the children on my bus – almost like a parent. But I feel that a little extra care goes a long way in ensuring their safety.
9. Describe your perfect work environment.
Every single day as a bus driver is a new one, so there really isn’t any perfect work environment. However, an environment where children listen to and abide by rules, and there are limited problems is a perfect environment.
10. What makes you want to go back to work each day?
The immense amount of love that I receive from children, especially when their faces light up when they see me is a great motivation for me, even on a bad day.
11. How do you handle emergencies?
Emergencies such as breakdowns and accidents are rare on my route. If they happen, I make sure that I get into action to do whatever I can to ensure children’s safety. I call for backup, and if someone is hurt, I apply my training in First Aid and CPR.
12. What does being attentive mean to you?
Being attentive is the core of working as a school bus driver. I often joke with children that I have eyes at the back of my head and can see what they are doing. To ensure their safety, I am constantly attentive to the road, and to what the children are doing.
13. What is your experience with log management?
A major part of my work as a school bus driver is to ensure that mileage and run logs are properly maintained. And I make sure that I document all this information on a daily basis.
14. If you were asked to take a short but not very safe route, how would you react?
Since it is the safety of children that is in question here, I would rather be late than lead them through something unsafe. I would not take an unsafe route ever.
15. How do you keep updated about your work?
I attend periodic training programs to maintain current knowledge of motor vehicle codes, and education codes as they apply to the operation of vehicles in the transportation of school children.
16. On a scale of 1 to 10, how good is your judgment?
I would give myself a realistic 8, as I feel that I am good at judging issues and problems.
17. If we decide to hire you, when can you join us?
I can join you 30 days from now, as I have already handed in my notice to my current employer.
18. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Ideally, I would like to work in a bus driver training capacity within the next 5 years.
19. Do you have any questions for us?
I am interested in knowing about the age and type of buses that you have on your fleet.
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