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Become a Bus Driver

Become a Bus Driver

Bus drivers play a vital role in our school community. We encourage parents, friends, family, and neighbors to consider a rewarding career as a school bus driver and make a positive impact on the lives of children.

All bus drivers start out as substitute drivers which offers schedule flexibility! 

BSD provides substitute drivers:

  • Paid training
  • Competitive pay (2023-24 wage is 26.03 per hour)

Regular, permanent drivers also receive:

  • Sick/personal leave
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits
     

Apply Today!

Please complete the online application and contact the transportation office at 360-473-1507 to save your spot in the next training!

Apply Now!

Bus driver holding up thank you notes

Bus Driver Training, Costs and Reimbursement

  • Bremerton School District will pay for up to 80 hours of training time at current substitute driver wage for the cost of earning a commercial driver's license (CDL) starting the first day of class.  The 2022-2023 Substitute Driver wage is $26.03 per hour.

  • The following costs are the responsibility of the applicant, of which 50% can be reimbursed (see below). 

    • $120-$150 for Department of Transportation physical
    • $40 for CDL permit
    • $35 for CDL general knowledge, passenger endorsement, school bus endorsement, air brake systems
    • $10 plus $17 per year for Driver's license with CDL endorsement fee remaining on the current license

  • Fifty-percent of the costs to applicants is reimbursed six months after training is complete. The additional 50% will be reimbursed after 1-year or upon date-of-hire as a permanent driver (whichever is sooner).

    To receive reimbursement, you must successfully complete the training and provide original receipts.

  • Prior to the first day of training, applicants must successfully pass:

    • A Department of Transportation physical from a certified DOT physician
    • A pre-employment drug screening
    • The CDL permit process at the Department of Transportation (This includes general knowledge, passenger endorsement, air brakes (restriction removed), school bus endorsement - CDL Guide Chapters 1-6)