Bus Driver Resumes & Guide

Last Updated on November 24, 2021

Over hills and over dales, you've searched far and wide for a new job as a Bus Driver, when finally you stumbled upon this site providing information on writing a resume that will blow the wheels off your future employer. Our Resume Samples for writing a Bus Driver's are loaded with helpful tips and tricks to park your resume straight in the interview box.

We have dissected every resume section in detail regarding the components that should be included in a Bus Driver Resume. See our Guide below!

Bus Driver Resume Examples

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Bus Driver Resume Writing Guide

Resume Sections:

1. Contact information
2. Profile Summary
3. Work History 
4. Achievements
5. Education 
6. Skill Section
7. Certification & licensing
8. Extras: Languages/Awards/Publications/Volunteering/hobbies

What to Highlight in a Bus Driver Resume

Recruiters and Hiring managers want to see certain aspects of your resume. Some of your experiences need to be highlighted to prove that you are the right applicant for the job. 

You can shift into first gear by briefly explaining what your work setting is like. Transit Drivers transport passengers using a daily schedule, and they make use of their regular routes. On these routes, they frequently stop to let passengers off at their designated bus stops, usually only a few blocks away from where they need to be, and if a passenger asks to stop, they are compliant.

Typically, Transit Drivers collect bus fares. They answer the passenger's questions about schedules and routes that they take. They report to their customers any change in the roads if there are traffic jams or accidents.

The Intercity Bus Drivers transport their customers between cities and towns, some close by and some further apart. They make use of bus stations where they drop people off, and passengers buy their tickets there.

More and more intercity buses use curbside locations in urban areas instead of using the bus stations. A Curbside Bus Driver must ensure that all his/her passengers have valid tickets and know how many unsold tickets there are, and follow the dispatcher's instructions to take the safest routes. They are also required to help customers with their luggage, whether it is loading or unloading.

Motorcoach Drivers drive to tourist attractions and take passengers on sightseeing trips. Usually, their routes and schedules are arranged by a trip planner whose interest keeps the passengers happy and satisfied on their vacation. These trips often take place over long periods with no driver switches, thus explaining the length of time. They address customer complaints to ensure the trip goes on as scheduled and will sometimes stand in as tour guides and help the passengers with their baggage before continuing to the next location.

School Bus Drivers transport students from school to their homes and vice versa and from other school activities such as sporting events and field trips. They also ensure that the children get home safely and to school safely and tend to the kids with special needs such as wheelchair disabilities. They keep order and enforce kids to stick to the school rules even while on the bus, and they report problems with the discipline to both the school and the parents. Some of these Bus Drivers also take on other jobs within the school, such as janitors and cafeteria workers, until it is time for them to transport the students again.

To shift into second gear, highlight the entirety of your driving responsibilities. Most Bus Drivers follow laid out routes by previous Bus Drivers, and however, sometimes you will be expected to create your way, all depending on who your employer is. These responsibilities are what you should highlight.

Elaborate on your driving abilities, like a clean record or being able to drive defensively, or even being adept at 4×4 driving. Also include your navigation skills and what you use to help you navigate, such as maps and GPS devices.

After that, shifts and work hours, are you up early before the squirrels start gathering nuts, or are you able to work 24/7? How many hours do you work per month? This industry can become intense with as much as 80 hours of work per week.

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For this type of work, you need to be physically able to endure long nights and early mornings and still maintain the ability to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and not make mistakes on the road. You need to keep track of the various locations people need to be dropped off and the different routes you need to take. You must also be comfortable driving in any weather conditions. Your physical strength needs to be adequate to help passengers load and unload their luggage.

Bus Drivers are required to have very specific personalities, to think realistically and be stable in their mental health, make independent choices, be persistent and genuine, practical, and thrifty. Prove to them that you can do tasks that require you to be athletic, muscular, tactile, and mechanical. Also, show your soft side, that you are generous, kind, cooperative, patient, tactful, caring, friendly, and empathetic.

To get a spot in the shortlisting highway, show recruiters that you are responsible for ad hoc duties, like keeping tabs on your activities, maintenance inspections, and inventory logs.

Bus Driver Career Summary & Examples

Hiring Managers must often search through a busload of resumes. Therefore, it is critical to keep your career summary concise and to the point, with sufficient information due to the limited screen time your resume will receive. The information you will need to add is your work experience, driving abilities; you are your licensing. You can use the job advertisement as a cheat sheet to compile your summary with the keywords. Keep in mind that you must be honest. If your resume corresponds with the job description, it is more likely that an employer will single out your resume.

Examples

Summary example 1

“Bus Driver with ten years of experience, known to be safe and efficient. CDL license. Seeking to work at (insert company name) and safely drop students off at designated areas. Experience at Fingal High for six years, zero incidents or casualties, and no sick days. Cheerful and good with maintaining healthy relationships with parents.”

Summary example 2

“Enthusiastic defensive adept Bus Driver with the ability to handle any job-related stress. Able to resolve customer issues calmly and respectfully and deduct other vehicle moves to help keep the passengers safe. Eight years of experience with no history of any violations or incidents, class A CDL license with a high school diploma.”

Summary example 3

“Reliable Bus Driver with five years' extensive experience in operating shuttle busses and motor coaches and no complaints thus far. Received a High School Diploma and class B CDL license. Well mannered, and polite towards other motorists. Able to adjust to last-minute changes, excellent at route charting and map reading. Able to keep customers happy on their journey.”

Job Descriptions, Responsibilities, and Duty Examples

Avoid sending the same old Bus Driver resume to every position. Add your experiences to show that you are the perfect candidate for the job. Use the correct titles you were given in previous positions. A few primary duties and responsibilities should be found in your resume that will be important to an employer. Here are a few examples:

Examples:

• Driving passenger vehicles (e.g., buses, vans, or charters):
• Transporting customers through pre-established routes and schedules;
• Following laws and regulations regarding transit;
• Ensuring passenger safety.
• Regulating heating, lighting, and ventilation systems inside the vehicle:
• Adjusting heating and ventilation for the comfort of the passengers;
• During dark hours or misty parts, turning the internal lights on.
• Parking vehicles at designated areas for passengers to board and get off:
• Charging fees to passengers when required;
• Checking the list of passengers before and after each stop (charter buses);
• Writing down fees and presenting receipts;
• Maintaining a log regarding schedules and passengers.
• Inspecting vehicles before departure:
• Checking gas, oil, and cooling fluid levels;
• Checking for malfunctioning parts; and checking breaks, wipers, and lights.
• Assisting passengers:
• Answering customers' questions about routes or schedules;
• Helping passengers with mobility disabilities get on and off the bus;
• Helping passengers with their cargo;
• Maintaining order in the bus;
• Advising passengers to stay seated for the remainder of the ride; 
• Ensuring select passengers are secured in their seats.

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• Handling passenger emergencies:
• Providing first aid care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a customer should such an event present itself;
• Assisting passengers during an emergency (e.g., accidents, breakdowns, and medical emergencies).
• Reporting emergencies, delays, or accidents:
• Notifying headquarters of any unfortunate events and requesting help when necessary.
• Performing minor repairs on the bus:
• Changing tires when necessary; and adding cooling fuel when required.
• General:
• Overviewing assigned route and inspecting vehicle conditions before leaving
• Parking at designated areas where passengers should get off.
• Driving passengers through pre-established routes.
• Adhering to traffic laws and regulations.
• Stopping at designated points at the passenger's request.
• Charging fares to passengers.
• Storing and keeping records of the number of passengers and fares collected.
• Keeping passengers in an orderly and safe manner.
• Reporting and assessing any incident or emergency.
• Assisting passengers with baggage and special needs.
• Answering passengers' questions and inquiries.

Highlight Your Accomplishments 

The most essential part of a Bus Driver's Resume is the accomplishment section. You have to prove to a hiring manager or a recruiter why you are the best candidate for the job. Your accomplishment section is, therefore, vital to blow the socks of the employer. Here is how you can write an eye-grabbing accomplishment section.

On the wheels of this section, consider the skills that would set you apart from the rest of the candidates, for instance, what are you most proud of, what role did you play in your previous job, what did you achieve in your experience as a Bus Driver. Add numbers to your accomplishments. This will make you look more sophisticated and show proof of your competencies. Add frequencies and time frames, and other scores you know you have added in your previous job. 

Here are some examples of how you can do that:

• Implemented preventative maintenance measures, as a result, increased vehicle life by 65%.
• Introduced the concept of using technology to map routes, hence, reduced commute time by 50%.
• Devised a client pick-up system, considered 50% more efficient than the one already in place.
• Trained 25 drivers to handle driving and navigation work as part of their induction program.
• Built a team of drivers, specifically for the influx of foreign company guests.
• Implemented a passenger-oriented greeting system, as a result, increased customer base by 30%.
• Cut vehicle maintenance costs by 40%, as a result, increased company revenue.

Education Section & Example

The good news about a Bus Driver job is that you do not need a degree or a diploma to land a bus driving gig. However, there are courses and workshops that you can do to develop yourself as a Bus Driver. Besides a valid driver's license, other things you need are additional licenses and certificates or accreditations that are commonly searched for in a Bus Driver. 74% of Bus Drivers have a high school diploma, and 20% have a certificate or an associate degree. 

This section is fundamental to your resume, even if you do not have qualifications apart from your high school diploma. In this section, list “the what, when, and where” you received your certificates or accreditations and licenses, as well as any courses or workshops you have completed. The order in which you write it is the name of the qualification, institution, and completion date. Try listing these from most recent to least recent. 

Some examples of a Bus Driver's education section:

2013 – Commercial Vehicle Operator Training, Community College Transportation Institute, Des Moines, IA

2012 – Bus and Bus Driver Program, New Cityland Vocational Centre, New Cityland, CA

2010 – CDL Commercial Driver's License, Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction Key West, FL 

2009 – Hillsborough High School, Tampa, FL

The Skills Section

When Screening Bus Driver Resumes, employers consider technical skills, soft skills, and physical abilities. Include these in your summary, your profile, and your accomplishment section. 

By incorporating these skills and abilities, you show an employer that you have can be an asset. 

Soft Skills	Technical Skills	Physical Skills
Customer Service	Vehicle inspection	Hand-Eye Coordination
Patience	Vehicle Maintenance	Endurance
Detail Orientated	Reporting	Dexterity
Stress Tolerance	Managing Incidents	Lift 100 lbs
Focused	Route Memorizing	20/20 Vision
Communication Skills	Map Reading	Physical Strength
Safety Conscious	Handling Fares	Fitness
Eloquent	Picking up and dropping off passengers	Far Vision
Approachable	Responding to customer inquiries	Static Strength
Patience	Mathematics	Spatial Orientation
Reliable	GPS Systems	Well Groomed
Time Management	Navigation Tools	Multi-Limb Coordination
Numerical Ability	Route Charting	Defensive Driving
Enthusiastic	Truck Maintenance	Sitting for long periods
Empathetic	Driving Safety Practices	Clean Medical Record
Punctual	Traffic Laws	Non Smoker

Qualifications & Certifications associated with Bus Drivers

Advanced Commercial Drivers Course	PTDI Certified Truck Driver Course	Diploma Business Records Management
DOT Certification	Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement	Defensive Driving Course
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)	CDL License with E and S designation	High School Diploma
Class A CDL with Doubles and Triples endorsement	Class A CDL	CDL class B license for passengers

Action Verbs for your Bus Driver Resume

Running	Observing	Allocating
Maneuvering	Sorting	Selecting
Navigating	Repairing	Ordering
Estimating	Maintaining	Prioritizing
Planning	Removing	Organizing
Positioning	Placing	Recognizing
Driving	Handling	Installing
Lifting	Identifying	Communicating

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Professional Information for Bus Drivers

Sectors: Transportation, Tourism, Hospitality, Education, Shuttle

Career Type: Delivery, Driving, Transporting,
Person type:  Navigator, Planner, Mover, Navigator
Education levels: High School Diploma and Post School Certifications
Salary indication: Average of 15.79 per hour (Indeed)

 Labor market: Estimated 9% growth between 2019 – 2029 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Organizations: Tourist Companies, Taxi Enterprises, Shuttle Services, Hotels, Recreational Facilities, Airports, Schools, Universities