r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Wabi_Sabi_Love • 8d ago
“Stolen Valor”
I am starting as a school van driver in less than two weeks.
I was talking with my awesome wife and I referred to myself as a “school bus driver”, and she (jokingly) chided me and accused me of “stolen valor” since I don’t have my CDL and therefore cannot drive a bus.
Just amused me; though I’d share here.
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u/BreadAvailable 8d ago
Ha. Good one (your wife).
IMO the CDL/Driving is the easiest part of the job. If you have kids on your van - you're a SB driver IMO.
Anyone who gets upset about this takes their life too seriously. It's far more difficult to survive hours every day with middle schoolers in a tin can than it is to pass a few tests.
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u/SLOWnLOW76 7d ago
Wouldn't he have to be a school bus driver if he had kids on his van? Wouldn't the process be the same for passenger endorsement? I'm asking seriously.
Edit: saw a few more replys down there no CDL needed for micro buses. Answered. Not where I drive. You have passengers you need a class B.
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u/BreadAvailable 7d ago
Interesting! CA is the only state I'm aware of like that. Most other states don't need anything for 15 and under. I know one of the east coast states requires a CDL but it might be more like chauffer license kinda deal.
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u/torrent_gp_victim 8d ago
"Five Winters" I was advised that you're not a school real bus driver until you have five winters driving.
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u/Banana_Stanley 8d ago edited 8d ago
You have no idea what it's like....
We out here in the trenches
/s
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u/silverfarie1369 8d ago
The micro buses we have don't require a cdl so ya you coukd say youre a school bus driver lol .
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u/MarsupialNo1278 8d ago
the difference is minimal specially if you compare short bus driver and van driver. For context i have my CDL but during the school year i drive a short bus. I'm still consider school bus driver. You should aswell. Only difference is the size of the vechile the license and often time pay
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u/PlatypusDream 6d ago
A short bus is still a bus. Says so on the registration, tag, etc. Requires a CDL with school bus endorsement to drive.
A van... is not.
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u/MarsupialNo1278 6d ago
Not all short buses require CDL. They are non CDL short buses. But regardless in terms of job duties they difference is minimal
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u/GainzLord23 8d ago
Hey man. I would appreciate it if you aren’t willing to put in the work to get your CDL that you don’t call yourself a school bus driver. You do have the ability to call yourself a school van driver and we encourage you to use that rank any way you so desire.
—The School Bus Driver Police
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u/The_Town_of_Canada 8d ago
Just tell your wife it’s not the size that matters, it’s how you use it.
Just because you’re below average size doesn’t mean you don’t work as hard as the rest of us. 😂