How to hire a motor coach operator

How to hire a motor coach operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step motor coach operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a motor coach operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new motor coach operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a motor coach operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The motor coach operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect motor coach operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of motor coach operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Motor Coach Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Motor Coach Operator	Bus drivers transport people between various places—including work, school, and shopping malls—and across state or national borders. Some drive regular routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours.	$14-22
   Transit Driver	A Transit Driver is tasked with driving passengers on already predetermined and specific routes along suburban or city streets and ensuring that they get to their destinations. He/She typically collects bus fares or tickets from passengers, answers questions on schedules and routes, and reports any traffic disruption or accidents to a central dispatcher... Show more	$12-22
   Bus Operator	Bus operators have different roles and responsibilities. These include providing bus driver training, ensuring all drivers have a valid license, and conducting an audit of the bus drivers' performance periodically... Show more	$14-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transport Passengers
   • Safety Regulations
   • Customer Service
   • DOT
   • CDL
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Log Book
   • Safety Rules
   • OTR
   • Passenger Endorsement
   • Traffic Laws
   • Professional Appearance
   • Federal Motor
   • Necessary Paperwork

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Edit and revise CDL training manual for content and grammar.
   • Receive a certificate of completion with CDL license in driving passenger buses.
   • Perform a complete visual safety check of each bus driven on a daily basis, completing daily pre and post-trip checklists.
   • Used personal extensive knowledge of local area to develop the most efficient routes for MTA runs.
   • Operate communications equipment according to MTA rules and regulations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your motor coach operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A motor coach operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, motor coach operators' average salary in wyoming is 26% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level motor coach operators 34% less than senior-level motor coach operators.
   • Certifications. A motor coach operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a motor coach operator's salary.

   Average motor coach operator salary

   $38,328yearly

   $18.43 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level motor coach operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing a motor coach operator job description

   A motor coach operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a motor coach operator job description:

   Motor coach operator job description example

   Responsibilities Include:
   
   We Are seeking Part-time employees, if interested please apply
   

   • Provides safe and reliable transportation service to passengers by operating position specific vehicles which may include sedans, vans, paratransit vans, limousines, taxi-cabs, shuttles, transit buses, school buses, and/or motor coaches with a fixed or changing route.
     
   • Reports any maintenance problems to Maintenance in accordance with Company procedure and does not operate an unsafe vehicle.
     
   • Reports to duty on time and maintains assigned route on time but in a safe manner.
     
   • Physically assists passengers in evacuation of the vehicle in case of emergency.
     
   • Immediately reports any accident or incident per Company policy.
     
   • Exercises passenger and/or student management per Company policy.
     
   • Informs all appropriate personnel of problems/procedures.
     
   • Keeps the interior of the assigned vehicle clean and presentable.
     
   • Presents a neat and professional personal appearance at all times.
     
   • Ensures vehicle is properly fueled according to facility procedures.
     
   • Completes all required paperwork (including route change sheets, time cards, vehicle repair requests) and submits to the appropriate authority in a timely manner.
     
   • Maintains a cooperative attitude with fellow employees, supervisors, customers, and passengers while always promoting company goodwill.
     
   • Prepares vehicle for inclement weather conditions, including scraping or cleaning windows, applying tire chains.
     
   • Safely and efficiently utilizes vehicle equipment, including wheelchair lifts, radios and emergency equipment.
     
   • Other duties as assigned.
     
   • Additional responsibilities for our Paratransit Drivers may apply per location requirements and include but are not limited to:
     
     • Must have experience transporting senior and/or disabled citizens in accordance with pre-arranged appointments/schedules
       
     • Must be able to provide individualized assistance/accommodation to senior and or disabled passengers by utilizing wheelchair lifts, seats and other special access necessary to effect a safe, secure and comfortable ride
       
     • Must ensure that individuals with disabilities have adequate time to complete boarding or disembarking from the vehicle
       
     • Previous experience as a Paratransit Driver recommended
       

   
   Qualifications
   
   Requirements Include:
   

   • Must be at least 21 years of age; for Tennessee School Bus Drivers, must be at least 25 years of age per state law.
     
   • Must possess, or be able to obtain, all valid applicable state license and other required certifications to operate company vehicles.
     
   • Must meet physical and medical requirements and pass substance abuse screening; as a safety-sensitive employee, will be subject to random substance abuse screening under Company policy.
     
   • Must satisfactorily complete and pass all training and attend safety meetings and in-service meetings in order to remain qualified.
     
   • Extensive knowledge of traffic rules and regulations.
     
   • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
     
   • Ability to lift and assist passengers when necessary.
     
   • Must have a high degree of attention and considerable dexterity in the control of vehicles such as sedans, vans, paratransit vans, limousines, taxi-cabs, shuttles, transit buses, school buses, and/or motor coaches.
     
   • Must practice defensive driving at all times and avoid vehicular and industrial accidents by practicing safe driving and work habits.
     
   • Compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, district, and contract specific Driver requirements.
     

   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   Company name is : National Express Transit
   
   Company National Express Transit
   
   Job: Driver US Bus
   
   Primary Location: United States-Ohio-Cincinnati-Elmwood Place Coach
   
   Work Locations Elmwood Place Coach (6034_Elmwood Place Coach)211 Township AveC/O Durham 6034Cincinnati, 45216
   
   Organization United States Bus
   
   Schedule Part-time
   
   Employee Status Regular
   
   Job Level Driver or Bus Assistant
   
   Job Shift Variable
   
   Travel Yes, 50 % of the Time
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find motor coach operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any motor coach operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level motor coach operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your motor coach operator job on Zippia to find and recruit motor coach operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with motor coach operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new motor coach operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the motor coach operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new motor coach operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a motor coach operator?