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School Bus Driver

First Student · Crest Hill, IL · $27.00–$32.00 an hour · Part time

Posted Sep 28, 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 a school bus, and what does it mean to you to be trusted with kids every day?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the responsibility of transporting children and are motivated by more than the schedule.

No experience is needed, but you'll train for your CLP and CDL. How do you feel about studying and testing for a license?

What they are checking: Whether they will commit to the training and testing required to drive safely and legally.

This job has split shifts in the morning and afternoon. How will that fit into your day?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably show up for both routes, since kids depend on consistent service.

Tell me about a time you had to stay calm in a stressful or noisy situation.

What they are checking: Whether they can stay focused on the road while managing a busload of children.

What would you do

A student keeps standing up and moving around while you're driving. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety first and pull over or address it calmly instead of driving distracted.

It's snowing hard and the roads are slick on your morning route. How do you drive differently?

What they are checking: Whether they adjust speed, following distance, and stopping to weather conditions with children on board.

A parent is upset at the bus stop because you arrived late. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and polite with parents and report issues instead of arguing at the stop.

A car passes your stopped bus while the stop arm is out. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they keep students safe first, then report the violation through the proper process.

About the work

Why do you think a pre-trip inspection matters, even on a bus you drove yesterday?

What they are checking: Whether they see inspections as real safety checks rather than paperwork to rush through.

You get to the end of your route and do your post-trip walk. Why does that walk matter so much?

What they are checking: Whether they understand child checks prevent a student from being left alone on a parked bus.

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 Part Time School Bus Drivers for Crest Hill, IL. $2500 Sign-On Bonus!!! 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 back home in the afternoon. Additional hours for field trips and special event transportation may be available. No experience is necessary to become a school bus driver! We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: · Pay Details: Dependent on experience and qualifications · Hourly Rate: $27.00 – $32.00 per hour · Training Rate: $17.00 · $2500 sign-on bonus · Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training provided! · Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurance or coverage options · 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match. · Part-time, flexible schedule: Split shifts (AM/PM routes), weekdays only; No nights, weekends, holidays, or summers required. · Career Advancement Opportunities: Advance into operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles in over 540 locations across the U.S. & Canada! · Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues. · Community Impact: Be a trusted figure for students and families. · Employee Discount Program: Discounts on various products and services. · Guaranteed Minimum Hours: Get paid for 4 hours per day at minimum. · Child Ride-Along Program: Perfect for working parents. · Safety or Attendance bonuses** · Commercial Learner’s Permit Bonus*** Your day as a School Bus Driver will include: · Safely transport students to and from school and activities. · Supervise boarding and unloading at stops; assist students with seatbelts and mobility aids. · Maintain order on the bus to prevent distractions. · Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections (brakes, lights, tires, emergency exits). · Report mechanical issues promptly and keep the bus clean and sanitary. · Obey all traffic laws and company safety standards. · Communicate with parents, school staff, and dispatch about student behavior or delays. · Demonstrate leadership and customer service skills. School Bus Driver Jobs are Perfect For: · Retirees looking for supplemental income · Stay-at-home parents seeking daytime work · Veterans transitioning into civilian roles · Anyone seeking a second career or flexible job · People who enjoy working with children You might be a good fit as a School Bus Driver if you: · Are at least 21 years old · Have a valid driver’s license for at least 3 years · Are looking for a part-time schedule and summers off · Enjoy working with students Note: This position is subject to DOT drug testing as a safety-sensitive employee. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. Great School Bus Drivers often bring skills such as: · Valid Class B License · History driving with ride share companies or taxi services · Previous experience as a teacher, CDL driver, social worker, classroom assistant, hospitality worker, or customer service or retail associate. Take the wheel and drive your career forward with First Student! Make an impact in your community while enjoying flexible schedules, great pay, and unmatched support. *Sign-on bonus conditions apply. See location for details. **Safety and/or Attendance bonus conditions apply. ***Commercial Learner’s Permit Bonus conditions apply. 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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