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Non-CDL Driver

First Student · Rock Falls, IL · Part time

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why do you want to drive students in Rock Falls?

What they are checking: Whether they care about the community and the safety of the kids they would drive.

You need at least three years with a valid license. Tell me about your driving experience.

What they are checking: Whether they have the safe driving history the role requires.

Tell me about a time you had to explain something clearly to a child or a parent.

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate kindly and clearly with students and families.

You'll have the option of paid CDL training. Are you interested in moving up to a bus someday?

What they are checking: Whether they have interest in growing with the company, which helps retention.

How will you make sure you're on time every school day, even in bad weather?

What they are checking: Whether they plan ahead for reliability, since kids are waiting at every stop.

What would you do

A student needs help getting in and out of the van. How do you make sure they're safe?

What they are checking: Whether they show patience and care when helping students board and exit.

The routing app tells you to turn somewhere that looks unsafe. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they use their own judgment for safety and contact dispatch rather than blindly following a device.

A student is being bullied by another student in the van. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they step in safely and report the behavior so the school and company can respond.

About the work

What would you check on your van before your first pickup each morning?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the purpose of pre-trip inspections and would take them seriously.

This job requires a drug screen and background check. Why do you think those matter for this work?

What they are checking: Whether they understand why trust and safety screening matter when driving children.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at First Student from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by First Student.

Now Hiring Non-CDL Van Drivers in Rock Falls, IL! Why join as a Van Driver? For many reasons • $19.00/HR starting wage; depending on experience • $17.00 training wage • $2,000 Sign-on Bonus for new drivers* • $500 Referral Bonus • No experience necessary! We train! • Paid CDL training • Hours guarantee • Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits plus 401K Retirement Savings Plans (Benefits offered may vary by location or CBA) • No nights or weekends Join First Student and get more than a paycheck. We offer perks and incentives designed to support you on and off the job, from early wage access and loyalty rewards to employee discounts, recognition programs, growth opportunities, and appreciation events. If you’re ready to be part of a team that Fosters Teamwork and makes a real difference every day, First Student is the place to be. About the Van Driver Position • Join our team of professional drivers dedicated to getting students to and from school safely • Drivers enjoy the support of our industry leading technology to guide them through their daily routes • Prioritize vehicle maintenance by conducting pre and post trip vehicle inspections • Provide support to students by assisting with boarding and exiting the bus Van Driver Qualifications • Good verbal communication skills • At least 21 years old • Valid driver’s license for at least 3 years • Be subject to a drug screen and physical *Conditions apply. See location for details. Bonus expires 12/31/2025. Language Requirement This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English. First for a reason: At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer. In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf .

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