Becoming a Professional School Bus Driver

Before a person can apply for a special driver's certificate (school bus license) to drive a school bus, he or she is fingerprinted and must submit to a thorough background investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol. The applicant may begin training before the background check is complete. However, he/she may not take any test administered by the California Highway Patrol until after the interview and background is complete and the applicant is cleared.
California’s school bus drivers receive more training than the majority of other bus drivers in the nation. Applicants for a special
driver's certificate must successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction (covering Federal Regulations,
California Vehicle Codes, California Code of Regulations and California Education Codes).
They must also successfully complete a minimum of 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training to become completely
competent and proficient in driving a school bus, as well as daily pre-trip inspection procedures of the bus.
Applicants may not transport students until all training is complete and the applicant has successfully completed
written and behind-the-wheel tests administered by the California Highway Patrol. Each year,
certified school bus drivers must receive at least ten hours of any type of training that is directly related to pupil transportation safety, and in the renewal year (every five years) the driver must successfully complete at least ten hours of classroom instruction (in addition to any other training received during the year).

Maintenance Team

Our maintenance team is comprised of knowledgeable and dedicated staff who ensure that our bus fleet, as well as all district vehicles, are in safe working order. In order to become a member of the Transportation Department's maintenance team, you must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and have a valid California Driver's License. You will also be required to obtain a Class B License with Air Brake and Passenger Endorsements and complete the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) School Bus Certification Test S4 - Brakes within one year of hire. 

 All jobs available for the Transportation Department, as well as any other open recruitments within Visalia Unified, will be listed on edjoin.org. Link provided below.