Student Transportation of America (STA) is an industry leader in school bus transportation, innovation, and safety, and was the only school bus contractor named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers in 2024. We would not be who we are without our dedicated school bus drivers, ensuring that over 1 million children across North America make it to and from school safely, each day!  

Across our organization, summertime is peak hiring season to find the right people for our team, with perks like paid training and bonus programs. The months in between school years allow for streamlined, uninterrupted training for our new hires, making sure you have all the instruction needed to become a fully licensed driver ahead of the new school year. 

So, are you wondering what it takes to join this work family of impactful individuals, or what happens after you hit our APPLY button? Applying with STA opens the door to an entire team of recruiters and onboarding specialists ready to guide you from start to finish! 

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School bus driving might be for you if you’re seeking part-time hours, a reliable work/life balance, and the opportunity to give back to your community. The role of a school bus driver is a great fit for retirees, veterans, and stay-at-home parents seeking extra income (with hours that fit around their own family’s schedule!). It’s also a good option for people switching careers, or those still discovering what they want to do in life. 

Ultimately, it serves as a flexible, part-time experience with opportunities for growth and to learn new skills.

ELIGIBILITY
Another unique perk of the job? In many of our locations, previous experience is not required! Our local teams of certified trainers provide all the instruction and guidance needed to perform the job of a school bus driver safely, and with care.  

As professional school bus drivers and monitors, interacting with students, parents, and other members of the community is a fundamental part of what you do, and the world of student transportation is a highly regulated industry with strict eligibility criteria. This ensures that only the safest and most qualified individuals are behind the wheel of our school buses. Some of these qualifications include, but are not limited to:

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license in your state of residence
• Must be able to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, where applicable
• Must not have more than one at-fault crash(es) within the previous 36 months
• Must be able to satisfy state or federal law, local ordinance, and statutes regarding the requirements to operate a commercial vehicle
• Must not have more than two (2) minor moving violations within the previous 36 months
• Must be able to pass a series of federal, state, and local security screenings including criminal background checks and fingerprinting
• Must be able to pass drug screening and physical fitness tests 
• CLICK TO LEARN MORE & START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY!

AFTER YOU APPLY
When you apply online for a job with STA, you’ll join our Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which supports you through the entire hiring and screening process. When your application is received, the recruiting team will review the information and work with you to coordinate an in-person interview. These interviews are typically conducted at the local terminal and are a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the position. Many of our terminal managers were once school bus drivers, so they can be a great resource as you embark on your own school bus journey!  

Learn More About Our Safety Programs

After passing the interview stage, the background screening process begins. While this is underway, the hiring team will begin coordinating with the safety and training team to ensure you are scheduled for all the necessary instruction. STA proudly pays trainees for their time throughout this process, as it can take several weeks to complete. You will take part in the nationally recognized program, The Driver Training Course, spanning 27 integrated topics, from safety best practices and student behavior management to emergency evacuations, intersection safety, defensive driving, and more. You’ll also get behind-the-wheel training to aid you in applying concepts from the classroom to real-world driving scenarios. 

If you have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) before applying with STA, you may be able to “fast track” some of the onboarding training. For applicants without a CDL, our certified trainers are fully equipped to guide you through the studying needed to obtain the proper licensing and credentials for the CDL test, which must be performed at the local DMV. In preparation for this test, you will cover topics including traffic laws, vehicle inspections, and safety regulations with on-site instruction and hands-on training. 

In addition to teaching safe driving practices, our trainers can offer personalized feedback and support throughout the program. By the end of the training process, you will have built the confidence and competency to ensure safe driving practices and the well-being of the students in your care. And upon completing all other eligibility and screening requirements, you will be able to proudly claim the title of becoming an STA School Bus Driver! 

JOINING THE STA FAMILY
Becoming a member of the STA Family means so much more than just a reliable job – it means giving back to our communities, protecting our kids, and finding purpose.  

Our ongoing partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® has been such a profound experience, with boundless opportunities for employees to raise money and volunteer their time to this incredible organization. Through donations, prize raffles, bake sales, and pledges for team members participating in St. Jude’s 5k events and half marathons, Student Transportation of America contributed $130,000 to St. Jude in our first year. This type of support helps ensure the families of St. Jude never pay a dime for their child’s treatment or housing, allowing them to focus their energy on healing.  

At STA, we also like to celebrate the successes and dedication of team members throughout the year with events like birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and our week-long Employee Appreciation parties. We honor work anniversaries and recognize special achievements in safety, community engagement, and team building. With plenty of opportunities to grow, create lasting impacts throughout our communities, and build genuine work-family relationships, STA continues to gain recognition as North America’s leading school transportation provider with employees who feel pride in the work they do, and are eager for the road ahead!  

Ready to Join Us?

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