How to hire a special needs bus driver

How to hire a special needs bus driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step special needs bus driver hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a special needs bus driver, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a special needs bus driver to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a special needs bus driver that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of special needs bus drivers.

   Type of Special Needs Bus Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Special Needs Bus Driver	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.	$14-21
   Bus Attendant	A Bus Attendant performs a variety of support tasks to ensure that passengers get to receive optimal services. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or industry of employment, it typically revolves around answering questions about bus routes and other services, directing passengers on and off the bus, assisting passengers with special or particular needs, adjusting seats, and handling documents... Show more	$10-15
   Bus Monitor	A bus monitor is responsible for supervising students on school buses and coordinating with bus drivers, ensuring a safe transport service for everyone. They are in charge of monitoring the students' behavior, assisting the students with mobility issues, maintaining order, and enforcing the safety rules and policies... Show more	$10-15

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Equipment
   • CDL
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • DOT
   • Tie Downs
   • Safety Regulations
   • Pre-Trip Inspections
   • Emergency Situations
   • Safety Rules
   • Transportation Services
   • Indirect Supervision
   • Incident Reports
   • Drop Offs
   • Bus Route

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Instruct students with disabilities, including autism, non-verbal, mental retardation, non-walking/restrict to wheelchair and down syndrome.
   • Perform vehicle pre-trip inspections and appropriately documents.
   • Assist children on bus with ESE problems

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your special needs bus driver job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A special needs bus driver salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, special needs bus drivers' average salary in florida is 32% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level special needs bus drivers earn 30% less than senior-level special needs bus drivers.
   • Certifications. A special needs bus driver with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a special needs bus driver's salary.

   Average special needs bus driver salary

   $37,581yearly

   $18.07 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level special needs bus driver salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a special needs bus driver job description

   A good special needs bus driver job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a special needs bus driver job description:

   Special needs bus driver job description example

   For our Open Job Fairs from 10am-3pm!

   First things First: Who are we?

   Twice the size of our next largest competitor, First Student is the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America. Every day, we complete 5 million student journeys, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services to 1,100 school districts.

   Why join as a Special Needs Driver? For many reasons:

   • $18.38 - $22.66/HR Starting Wages depending on experience
   • No experience required! We train!
   • Paid Training
   • $2,000 Sign on Bonus for New Drivers*
   • $3,500 Sign on Bonus for Credentialed Class A/B CDL with All Endorsements*

   About the Position

   • Join our team of professional drivers dedicated to getting students to and from school safely
   • Drivers enjoy the support of our industry leading technology to guide them through their daily routes
   • Prioritize vehicle maintenance by conducting pre and post trip vehicle inspections
   • Provide support to students by assisting with boarding and exiting the bus

   Qualifications

   • Good verbal communication skills
   • At least 21 years old
   • Valid driver’s license for at least 5 years
   • Be subject to a drug screen and physical

   *Conditions apply, see location for details. Offer expires 12/31/2022

   We aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce therefore 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. For candidates applying to positions in San Francisco or Los Angeles California, First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance or Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance. First is an equal opportunity employer and by doing so we will sustain and promote an inclusive culture that supports future growth for all.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right special needs bus driver for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your special needs bus driver job on Zippia to find and recruit special needs bus driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit special needs bus drivers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 special needs bus driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect special needs bus driver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new special needs bus driver. 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.)

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