School bus drivers are the backbone of the American school system, providing safe and reliable transportation for students in all grade levels. If you’re looking for a job as a school bus driver, you’re in luck! There’s a growing demand for qualified and reliable drivers across the country. A well-organized resume that highlights your skills and experience can help you land your next great school bus driver position.
Luckily, Resume.io is here to help. With 300+ resume examples for a variety of occupations, we’re an expert resource for job seekers everywhere. Here’s what we’ll cover in this resume guide, along with the corresponding school bus driver resume example:
- What does a school bus driver do?
- How to write a school bus driver resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a school bus driver resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the demand for bus drivers (including school bus drivers) to increase by 12% over the coming decade – that’s much faster than average for most jobs!
What does a school bus driver do?
School bus drivers are responsible for the safe transportation of school-aged children to and from their educational establishments. Unlike city bus drivers, school bus drivers most often make stops at individual houses or pick-up points in neighborhoods and work in urban as well as rural environments.
School bus drivers are responsible for memorizing their routes and noting which children are present on their buses each day. They are also required to bring the bus to the depot at the end of the day or to service points for gas and other maintenance.
How to write a school bus driver resume
The very first step in writing your school bus driver is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
As well as highlighting the driving and safety skills needed for the job, school bus drivers should also aim to come across as friendly and responsible on their resumes. After all, parents are entrusting them to create a safe and positive environment as their children are transported to school.
While most bus driver positions will require similar skill sets, it is still important to read the job description and take note of any particularities of the school system or position. Make sure to customize your resume to the school bus driver job description whenever possible.
Applying to multiple jobs? Get inspiration from our related resume samples including:
Choosing the best resume format for a school bus driver
School bus drivers should generally stick with the reverse chronological resume format. This standard structure is the best choice for professional industries, including education and transportation. This format focuses on the employment history section where you can include your previous relevant positions starting from the most recent and working backward through the past 10 years of experience.
If you are making a career change or just starting out in the workforce, you may consider an alternative resume format, such as the hybrid model which begins with your skills and features a shorter employment history section further down the page. However, this option is not recommended for those with previous bus driver positions to show as it may make a candidate appear inexperienced.
Resume summary example
The resume summary is the first section at the top of the resume meant to attract the hiring manager’s attention and introduce the reasons why you’re a great candidate. These 3-5 sentences should be concise and focus on your most relevant experience and skills relating to the role. Make sure to add the name of the position and school system you’re applying to somewhere in the summary to show that your resume has been tailored for the job. You can also mention your driving record and license number here. See our adaptable resume example summary below.
Safety-conscious school bus driver with an impeccable driving record and a proven ability to manage student groups of all ages. CDL license, Class B and C, with comprehensive knowledge of Lafayette Parish School District policies and Louisiana State traffic/transit law.
Employment history sample
The employment history section shows employers that you’ve gained the necessary qualifications for the role through other positions. For each entry, make sure to include the job title, employer name, dates worked, and location. Then, add 4-5 bullet points detailing what you were responsible for in the role and how you succeeded. While previous school bus driver positions are best to showcase, you can also highlight other relevant transportation or customer service roles and use your bullet points to highlight transferable skills you’d use in the bus driver position. Check out the employment history resume sample below for more inspiration.
School Bus Driver at Broadmoor Elementary, Lafayette, LA
September 2013 - April 2023
- Supported student safety through effective assessment of traffic and road conditions as well as strict adherence to legal and school policy requirements.
- Maintained a regular route with timely stops, pickups, and dropoffs, communicating necessary changes to staff and families.
- Oversaw student behavior on regular routes and special trips, relaying information to relevant parties for management.
- Ensured optimal equipment and vehicle safety, conducting pre- and post-trip inspections to identify any potential issues.
School Bus Driver at Broussard Middle School, Lafayette, LA
September 1999 - June 2013
- Expertly transported students to and from school, ensuring timely delivery.
- Provided safety management, overseeing student behavior to ensure alignment with school and road safety practices.
- Engaged with passengers, building trust and rapport to positively support student independence during middle school years.
Numbers and statistics can go a long way to show your impact as a bus driver. Consider things like number of years worked, students served, routes driven, or schools served.
CV skills example
The skills section of your CV is the place to highlight your qualifications at a glance. Make sure to focus on the abilities that the employer has mentioned in the job description and that are most relevant to the role. As a school bus driver, your CV should include a mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical abilities like safe driving, while soft skills can be likened to personality traits, like a friendly disposition. Check out our resume example for the skills section below.
- Equipment Operation
- Legal & Policy Knowledge
- Route Management
- Driving Skills
- Student Behavior Management
- Safety Inspections & Management
School bus driver resume education example
While school bus drivers may not be required to hold advanced degrees, the education section is still a fundamental part of your resume. As with the employment history section, make sure to list your education from most recent to oldest. Include the degree name, school, dates attended, and location. The education section is also a great place to include any relevant awards, certifications, or memberships you hold along with your driver’s license number (CDL) and the special endorsements required for bus drivers in some states. See our resume example education section below.
Bachelor of Arts in Business, South Louisiana Community College, Lafayette, LA
January 1995 - May 1999
Resume layout and design
Your resume layout and design are the presentation that gets your application moving. While school bus drivers aren’t required to create flashy resumes, a clean, well-organized layout shows the employer you are serious about the position. Pay special attention to the header where you can add a touch of attractive formatting to make your name and contact information stand out. Finally, make sure to keep a balance of white space to text so that the resume is uncluttered and easy to read. If you need help getting started, an adaptable resume template can help you create a professional look in just a few clicks.
Key takeaways for a school bus driver resume
- There is a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, so now is a great time to prepare your resume.
- Focus on creating a professional summary that highlights your relevant experience and also mentions the right qualifications for the job.
- Your skills section should allow you to come across as competent but also friendly and helpful.
- A great layout can help accelerate your job search, our adaptable school bus driver resume sample can help you get started.
