Bulloch County School to offer free CDL training on Saturdays, plus a $250 stipend;
Become a bus driver – full-time, part-time or flexible schedules you can pair with your current job are available
Looking to boost your income, enjoy flexible hours, and make a difference in your community? Bulloch County Schools is offering paid Saturday training to help local residents earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and be a school bus driver during times that meet your schedule.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals with home-based businesses, farmers, stay-at-home parents or anyone seeking bi-vocational or part-time employment. The district’s Saturday CDL Program allows participants to train for a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements. It pays a $250 stipend, plus an income if hired. It’s the perfect time to work full-time or part-time as a bus driver or the district’s flexible schedules give you the option of pairing being a bus driver with your current job.
“Driving a school bus can be a great way to earn extra income without giving up your current job,” said Dr. Brad Boykin, assistant superintendent of Business Services, who oversees Transportation. “Our flexible scheduling allows you to keep your regular work while supporting local students.”
School bus drivers in the 19th and early 20th Century were local farmers, business owners, parents and grandparents. In fact the Blue Bird Body Company, a major manufacturer of school buses, got its start in Fort Valley, Georgia in 1927, when Albert L. Luce Sr., who owned the Ford dealership, built a bus body on the truck chassis of a customer’s vehicle who was working as a drive students to school.
That spirit of helping the community’s children get to school still exists in Bulloch County today. Many of Bulloch County Schools’ drivers are farmers, small business and home-based business owners, retirees, parents and grandparents.
For instance, Dr. Boykin noted that driving a bus for athletic trips is a great opportunity for parents of student athletes since bus drivers get into away sports events for free.
How to Apply
During certain Saturdays this school year, you can attend classes to obtain your CDL license and endorsements. This will make you qualified to drive a school bus to enable you to take students on either activity trips, daily bus routes, or both, depending on your availability. The school district has both bus driver and substitute bus driver jobs posted online for interested applicants at bullochschools.org/busjobs. Simply complete an online application, and designate that you are interested in attending the Saturday option for training. If you need assistance, you may also visit the Transportation Department at 219 Simons Road in Statesboro or call 912.212.8640.
Individuals With or Without Experience Are Welcome
No experience is necessary. You can take advantage of this training no matter how much experience you have or what type of license you currently hold. You can begin at various entry levels: No CDL Permit, CDL Permit Held, or CDL Licence (Class A or Class B) Held. The Transportation Department will tailor the training based on your needs.
Requirements Prior to Completing Training
Applicants must clear a background check process. Once your application is received the Transportation Department will reach out to you to discuss your interest and communicate how to schedule the background check.
After successful completion of the background check, you must have your motor vehicle record run by the Transportation Department and pass a physical and a drug/alcohol test prior to completing the training process. It would be helpful, but not required, to have this completed prior to beginning your training, so that this doesn’t become a barrier that prevents successful completion.
Training for Individuals with a CDL Permit
If you already have your CDL Permit, you will only need to attend five days of Saturday training in order to be ready to take your third-party test. This will take place during a weekday in Effingham County, and our Transportation Department will assist you with scheduling it. You would then need to drive a bus for six hours with students. This can be done during morning and afternoon bus routes over a two-day period.
Training for Individuals without a CDL Permit
Don’t have a CDL permit? No worries. You have two options. You can take advantage of the district’s CDL Prep Course. You would attend at least six days of Saturday training, the first Saturday for the prep course, then the following five Saturdays for the driver training to prepare for the third-party test.
Or, you can study on your own and go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) to take the required test to obtain your permit. You will need to take and pass the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Passenger, and School Bus assessments. Find free practice tests online and an online video review for the test at bullochschools.org/busjobs
Saturday Training Sessions
Training is available on the following Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Based on the training you need, you must commit to either the five or six days of training when you sign up:
- November 15, December 13, January 17, January 31, February 21, March 7, March 21, April 4, April 18.
Stipend for Completing Training
Once you have successfully completed the Saturday training program, the third party testing, and the additional six hours with students, you will be eligible to drive in any capacity for Bulloch County Schools. Those who successfully complete training and complete the onboarding process with Bulloch County Schools will receive a $250 stipend.
What options do you have once you obtain your license?
- Activity Trip Opportunities (i.e. sports and extracurriculars)
- $25 per hour.
- Morning Routes, Afternoon Routes, or Both (based on your availability)
- $45 per route (morning or afternoon)
- $90 per day if driving both
- If you drive a double route, you are paid an additional $30 per double
