Across the country, school transportation departments are grappling with a persistent and growing challenge: a shortage of qualified school bus drivers.  

This issue, while not new, has intensified in recent years due to a combination of economic pressures, regulatory hurdles, and public misconceptions. However, innovative solutions from industry partners like Student Transport are helping districts turn the tide. 

Origins of Student Transport 

The idea for Student Transport was born from personal experience — one that was equal parts eye-opening and frustrating. 

In 2014, I was a small business owner looking to earn some extra income. With three kids in school and a calendar full of high school athletics, becoming a school bus driver seemed like a flexible and practical option. I scheduled an interview with the transportation director at our local school district, expecting a straightforward conversation. Instead, I got what felt like a half-hearted sales pitch — one that nearly talked me out of the job.   

“There aren’t any benefits like retirement or medical insurance,” she said. “It’s not full-time, so you can’t work more than 30 hours a week. It pays less than $100 a day. You’ll be last in line for route selection. Oh, and you’ll need to get a commercial driver’s license.” 

Despite the less-than-encouraging introduction, I decided to move forward. The first step was obtaining a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), which required passing four written exams at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles covering general knowledge, air brakes, passenger, and school bus.  

My only guidance? “Get a CDL manual, take the tests, and let me know when you pass.”  

I had no idea what I was doing, but after a few weeks of trial and error, I managed to earn my permit. 

Then came the behind-the-wheel (BTW) training. My first session? Driving a full-size, rear-engine transit bus — right through the middle of town.  

For the pre-trip inspection portion of the CDL skills test, I was handed a single sheet of paper with a short checklist and a three-step air brake test. That was it. 

I failed my first attempt at the skills test before I even got to drive. On my second try, I barely made it through the pre-trip, only to fail the air brake test, forgetting to release the parking CDL. It turns out, the third time is a charm! 

That experience stuck with me. I promised myself that if I ever had the opportunity to work with new drivers, I’d make sure they didn’t go through what I did. Six years later, I was asked to do just that. That’s when I began developing the tools and resources that eventually became Student Transport, offering a smarter, more supportive way to train school bus drivers. 

Challenges Transportation Directors Face Today 

Ask 10 transportation directors what the biggest issue they face every day is, and odds are nine of them will say “driver shortage.” 

The school bus driver shortage stems from several interconnected issues: 

• Low Pay: Compensation for school bus drivers often lags behind other commercial driving roles, making recruitment difficult. 

• Misconceptions About the Job: Many potential drivers are deterred by outdated or inaccurate perceptions of working with children or the school environment. 

• CDL Requirements: The process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is complex and time-consuming, creating a significant barrier to entry. 

Today, the CDL process includes three major components: 

1. Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): Candidates must pass four to five written tests at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), which can be daunting without proper preparation.

2. Entry Level Driver’s Training (ELDT): A federally mandated program requiring both classroom/theory instruction and behind-the-wheel training. 

3. CDL Skills Test: A comprehensive evaluation covering pre-trip inspections, brake tests, backing maneuvers, student stops, railroad crossings, and a road test. 

A Modern Solution 

Student Transport has developed a suite of tools designed to streamline the CDL training process, making it more accessible to aspiring drivers and supporting a significantly shorter timeline (approximately two weeks).  

Applicable in all 50 states, our platform is accessed via smartphone and focuses on flexibility, accessibility, and effectiveness: 

• CLP Preparation: A three-hour video course that mirrors actual BMV test questions, helping trainees’ study efficiently and pass with confidence. 

• ELDT Compliance: An FMCSA-certified video course and assessment that meets federal requirements. Test scores are automatically uploaded to the Training Provider Registry (TPR), simplifying compliance. At just three hours, ours is much shorter than many other programs. 

• CDL Skills Test Support: Library of videos and PowerPoint materials that supplement BTW training and provide mobile access to training documents. Trainees can work/study from anywhere/anytime, which dramatically speeds up the process while maintaining time flexibility. 

Results That Drive Success 

Student Transport’s remote-access model allows trainees to complete much of their training on their own schedule, using their smartphone. The platform allows directors to track time and completion percentage for each trainee.   

This flexibility shortens the training timeline — often to just two weeks — without sacrificing quality.  

The result? A significantly expanded pool of potential drivers, a two-week training timeline and a 93% first-time pass rate on the CDL skills test among Student Transport customers. 

Looking Ahead

As school districts continue to face staffing shortages, embracing modern, mobile-friendly training solutions will be key to building a sustainable workforce. By reducing barriers and empowering trainees, organizations like Student Transport are not just filling seats — they’re driving the future of pupil transportation.

About the Author: Nelson Smith is a former Indiana school bus driver and founder & CEO of Student Transport Training Partners, LLC. Contact him at nsmith@studenttransport.net or (260)349-7753. 

This article was authored and edited according to SBF editorial standards and style. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of SBF.