School Bus Driver

Transit Driver

Minimum Age – 21

Minimum Age – 18

Required License – Class “B” or “E”

Required License – Class “C” (lower class, requires less training, shorter examination)

Prohibited from applying for a school bus driver license if driver has more than 6 demerit points

No demerit points restriction when applying for a transit bus driver license

Cannot accumulate more than 8 demerit points

May accumulate up to 15 demerit points

First Aid and CPR Trained

No requirement for First Aid or CPR

Criminal Record Check Required (by law) to hold Class “B” or “E” license

No Criminal Code Check

MTO-Approved Driver Improvement Crouse Required (by law) as condition for obtaining a Class “B” or “E” license.

Not required to complete a Driver Improvement Course

No uniform provided by employer

Uniform provided by employer

Must supervise behavior of up to 80 children and intervene when necessary to ensure children’s safety. Must know names of students and report behavior problems to school principal

Not responsible for passenger behavior- no intervention with passengers. Simply calls dispatch or 8911 if trouble occurs

Must learn to recognize authorized parent or care giver and exercise care to ensure younger students are met at drop off by appropriate person

Not responsible for ensuring passengers are met by authorized person…just open the door!

Traffic control responsibilities. The school bus is one of a few motor vehicle authorized to display red flashing lights requiring other motorists to stop. The others are fire trucks, police and ambulances.

No traffic control responsibilities. Transit buses are not equipped with flashing red lights.

Must monitor traffic approaching and following to determine when it’s safe to open and close door and direct students to cross the roadway

No responsibility for passenger’s safety outside the bus. Passengers are on their own and cross the road on their own before the bus arrive or after the bus leave the bus stop.

Must conduct a daily “pre-trip” safety inspection of 44 inside and outside mechanical components and safety devices. Must record defects in writing.

Exempt from doing daily “pre-trip” safety inspections

Must abide by Driver Hours of Service Regulations – paperwork burden and restricts income potential

Exempt from Driver Hours of Service Regulations

Must come to a full stop and open door before crossing all level (rail) crossings

Exempt from stopping at protected rail crossings