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School Bus Driver Trainee Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

School City of Hobart

Bus Driver

Hobart, IN · On-site

$22.50/hr

Filled as Needed Bus Driver School City of Hobart Seeking Bus Drivers for the School City of Hobart ... FLSA Status Non-Exempt Pay Rates * Full-Time Driver: $22.50/hour * CDL Driver Trainee: $18.00/hour ...

School City of Hobart

Bus Driver

Hobart, IN · On-site

$22.50/hr

Filled as Needed Bus Driver School City of Hobart Seeking Bus Drivers for the School City of Hobart ... FLSA Status Non-Exempt Pay Rates * Full-Time Driver: $22.50/hour * CDL Driver Trainee: $18.00/hour ...

School City of Hobart

Bus Driver

Hobart, IN

$22.50/hr

Bus Driver School City of Hobart Seeking Bus Drivers for the School City of Hobart. Positions are ... FLSA Status Non-Exempt Pay Rates * Full-Time Driver: $22.50/hour * CDL Driver Trainee: $18.00/hour ...

Indiana Central School Bus

School Bus Driver

Gary, IN · On-site

$25/hr

School Bus Driver If you're looking for a career that will give you a strong sense of pride and purpose, this is the job for you. Getting over 1,000,000 children safely to and from school every day ...

Indiana Central School Bus

School Bus Driver

Gary, IN · On-site

$25/hr

As a school bus driver at Indiana Central School Bus, you are not only an essential worker, but also a HERO to children every day! We are looking for candidates who are responsible, love children ...

First Student, Inc.

School Bus Driver

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$29/hr

As a Part Time School Bus Driver, you will play a vital role in your community and the lives of students. You will start students' days with morning pickup before school and transport them safely ...

Central Indiana Transportation

Be Seen First

School Bus Driver

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Central Indiana Transportation is looking for School Bus Drivers to cover AM/PM routes, Substitute Routes, and Field Trips for K-12 Schools in Indianapolis. Central Indiana Transportation has bus ...

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School Bus Driver Trainee information

What is a school bus driver trainee?

School Bus Driver Trainees are individuals who are in the process of being trained to become fully qualified school bus drivers. They typically undergo classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training, and must pass written and driving exams to obtain the necessary commercial driver's license (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements. Trainees learn about safety procedures, student management, vehicle inspection, and state and federal transportation regulations. The training ensures that they can safely and effectively transport students to and from school and related activities.

What can I expect during the training and onboarding process as a school bus driver trainee?

As a School Bus Driver Trainee, you will participate in a structured training program that typically includes classroom instruction on safety regulations, state and federal driving laws, and student management, as well as hands-on practice with bus operation under the supervision of certified trainers. You will also prepare for and take the required commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams, often with support and guidance from experienced staff. The training period is designed to ensure you are comfortable with all aspects of the job, from route navigation to emergency procedures, before you begin driving independently. During this time, you may also shadow current drivers to gain insight into daily routines and best practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school bus driver trainee, and why are they important?

To excel as a School Bus Driver Trainee, you need a clean driving record, basic vehicle operation skills, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Training often involves learning to use vehicle inspection checklists, two-way radios, and preparation for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements. Patience, strong communication, and a calm demeanor are crucial for interacting with students and managing unexpected situations. These skills and qualities ensure the safety and well-being of students while maintaining reliable and efficient transportation services.

What is the difference between School Bus Driver Trainee vs School Bus Driver?

AspectSchool Bus Driver TraineeSchool Bus Driver
CredentialsRequires a valid driver’s license, CDL permit, and trainingRequires a valid CDL license with passenger and school bus endorsements
Work EnvironmentTraining period, supervised driving, school campusesFull-time driving, transporting students to and from school
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, transportation companiesSchool districts, private transportation services

In summary, a School Bus Driver Trainee is in the training phase, working under supervision to gain necessary certifications and experience. A School Bus Driver has completed training, holds the required licenses, and actively transports students. The trainee role focuses on learning and development, while the driver role involves full responsibility for student safety and vehicle operation.

What does it take to become a school bus driver trainee?

To become a school bus driver trainee, candidates typically need a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and must pass a background check. They often complete a training program that covers safety procedures, vehicle operation, and student management, and may need to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsements.

What are the most commonly searched types of School Bus Driver jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of School Bus Driver jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for School Bus Driver Trainee jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most School Bus Driver Trainee job openings:

School Bus Driver Trainee jobs near you

Bus Driver Trainee (No CDL B and/or Missing Passenger or School Bus Endorsements)

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Metropolitan School District of Warren Township
See more jobs at Metropolitan School District of Warren Townshipexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Transportation/Bus Driver Trainee
Date Posted:
2/2/2026
Location:
Transportation Department
JOB TITLE: Bus Driver Trainee
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt, hourly employee.
WORK DAYS: Training lasts for approximately 6 weeks.
STANDARD HOURS PER DAY: 4 hours per day while in training.
WORK YEAR: The length of employment for the Bus Driver Trainee is approximately 6 weeks, but it depends on the amount of training that is needed for the trainee to successfully meet the District's expectations to become a Substitute Bus Driver or a Bus Driver.
SALARY SCHEDULE & BENEFITS: The Bus Driver Trainee is paid on the "Bus Driver" salary schedule, but is not eligible for benefits due to the temporary nature of the Trainee's employment.
REPORTS TO: The Bus Driver Trainee reports to the Director of Transportation and to the Bus Driver Trainer.
SUPERVISES: The Bus Driver Trainee does not supervise any other employees.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Under specific direction, the Bus Driver Trainee is to learn the rules, procedures and methods for safely and legally driving a school bus. The Bus Driver Trainee is expected to learn how to provide for the safe transporting, loading and unloading of students to and from destinations, and the safety and welfare of all persons. The Bus Driver Trainee is expected to learn to drive while monitoring the students, and providing the required assistance to students with special medical needs. The Bus Driver Trainee is expected to pass the state test(s) for the Commercial Driver's License designation at the conclusion of the training.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  1. Learns to provide school bus transportation for the District students to and from destinations, to include field trips and special events.
  2. Learns to perform pre- and post-bus inspection activities to ensure proper operating conditions, adherence to prescribed Department of Transportation standards, and compliance with proper safety standards.
  3. Learns to maintain a bus evacuation plan and learns to coordinate bus evacuation activities as appropriate.
  4. Learns to transport students according to established routing sheets; ensures maintenance of periodic routing updates.
  5. Learns to monitor daily school bus activities to ensure proper student conduct at all times, and adherence to appropriate disciplinary controls.
  6. Learns to maintain attendance records, seating charts, disciplinary documentation, and updated student information; communicates via radio dispatch as appropriate.
  7. Learns to obtain/maintain safe driver designation and applicable physical and dexterity standards.
  8. Learns to ensure the safe loading and unloading of students to and from destinations, to include operation of specialized equipment for attending to students with special needs, i.e., wheelchair lifts and tie-downs, toddler/infant seats and seat belts.
  9. Learns to perform routine cleaning and bus maintenance activities; maintains neat and orderly appearance, to include assigned uniforms.
  10. Learns to conduct re-fueling activities, to include maintaining assigned fuel use logs.
  11. Learns to report any perceived or potential school bus defects in a time efficient manner to the appropriate supervisor of fleet maintenance personnel.
  12. Learns to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with bus monitors, district personnel, school officials, and parents.
  13. Learns to be responsible for keeping up to date on current technology, as job appropriate, being used by Warren.
  14. Learn to be responsible for timely and accurate information maintained as part of the job responsibilities.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the department, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other department members:
  1. Performs related duties as directed.

ENTRY-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS:
1. EDUCATION/TRAINING: High school diploma or GED is required.
2. EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 5 years of satisfactory experience as a licensed driver.
3. CERTIFICATIONS &/OR LICENSES: Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Indiana commercial driver's license class "B" with passenger and school bus endorsements.
4. OTHER: Ability to perform the essential functions, meet the performance aptitudes, and fulfill the physical/sensory/environmental requirements of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) are required.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:
  1. Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data and/or information. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
  2. Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations.
  3. Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of assigned passenger vehicles, and safety restraint and wheelchair lift devices.
  4. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive and advisory data and information.
  5. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages.
  6. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership. Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
  7. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Employees in public school transportation roles must meet specific physical, sensory, and environmental requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of students and the general public. The following outlines the essential requirements for individuals performing these duties within the State of Indiana:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must possess full use of 100% of their body to safely operate a school bus or other transportation vehicle, including but not limited to the ability to grasp, push, pull, reach, and manipulate vehicle controls.
  • Ability to sit for extended periods while maintaining control and awareness of vehicle operation.
  • Sufficient strength to operate emergency exits, doors, and secure mobility-assistive devices when necessary.
  • Ability to bend, stoop, twist, kneel, and climb stairs to assist students as needed.
  • Must be capable of performing repetitive motions, including steering, shifting gears, and using hand and foot controls.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds to accommodate emergency situations or assistive equipment.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must possess sufficient visual acuity (corrected or uncorrected) to read traffic signs, recognize potential hazards, and monitor students inside and outside the vehicle.
  • Must possess adequate hearing ability (corrected or uncorrected) to detect traffic sounds, emergency sirens, and student interactions, as well as effectively communicate via radio or other communication devices.
  • Must be able to demonstrate sufficient depth perception, peripheral vision, and night vision to operate a vehicle safely in all conditions.
  • Ability to distinguish colors necessary for traffic signals, warning indicators, and dashboard displays.
  • Must have full range of speech and vocal capabilities to effectively communicate with students, parents, school staff, and emergency personnel.

ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be able to tolerate and work in a variety of environmental conditions, including:
    • Extreme temperatures (heat, cold, and humidity)
    • Exposure to fumes, dust, and allergens
    • Moderate to high noise levels from student interactions and road conditions
    • Vibrations caused by vehicle operation
    • Inclement weather conditions such as rain, snow, and ice
  • Must be able to respond to emergency situations quickly and effectively, including evacuations, medical incidents, and mechanical failures.
  • Must be capable of handling the physical and mental stress associated with managing student behavior and adhering to strict safety protocols while operating a vehicle.

Attachment(s):
  • MSD Warren_Benefit Guide_2025.pdf

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