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Early Childhood Professionals Needed - Join our team !
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Head Start Bus Driver

Interested in becoming a bus driver?

Northern Panhandle Head Start, Inc. offers a CDL training program to parents of enrolled children and also people from the community that will help you obtain a Commercial Driver’s License. Beginning with classroom instruction, permits, testing and ending with a road exam.

Here’s what it takes:

  • Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements. (For further information on Commercial Driver’s License go to West Virginia Department of Transportation Website,
  • To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License you must have a DOT Physical,
  • Pass a drug and alcohol screening,
  • Have a clean driving record,
  • Send an application to the DMV,
  • If cleared by the DMV you will receive a test card,
  • You will have to take and pass a written exam which covers, general knowledge, air brakes, passenger vehicles and school bus,
  • Once you receive you permit you will then begin behind the wheel training on a school bus,
  • You will need 40 hours of training on the bus which includes: pre-trip inspections, air brake checks, basic vehicle control, maneuvering, night time driving, loading and unloading passengers, railroad crossings, and emergency stops, and
  • When you have completed the required training you will then be scheduled with a state examiner for the road test, if you pass the road test you will then receive your CDL.

A Day in the Life of a Head Start Bus Driver:

  • Your day begins between 6:30-7:00 a.m. with a pre-trip inspection.
  • Complete your morning bus run (you may have more than one).
  • Drop children off at their classroom (you may do a fire drill-required each month).
  • Complete a post-trip inspection.
  • Clean your bus.
  • You may be required to spend part of your day in the classroom with children.
  • Help with meals, check the playground for safety, and do a monthly safety checklist.
  • Teach a monthly bus safety class for children and parents.
  • Then you will have to prepare to take the children home.
  • Start with a pre-trip inspection of the bus.
  • Transport children home.
  • Return to center (you may have another group of children going home).
  • Complete a post-trip inspection.
  • Go home, get some rest and get ready for another busy day.

For more information please contact:

Transportation Coordinator
1 Orchard Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
304-233-3290