S.C. Department of Education offering classroom training for bus driver course virtually Nov. 9 - 12

DARLINGTON, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Education (SCDE) began offering the initial classroom training for school bus drivers virtually in April. The agency will offer another of those initial training courses virtually and in the evening on Nov. 9–12.

The course will be held online through Microsoft Teams Meeting from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 9-12.

Anyone interested in becoming a school bus driver for the Darlington County School District (DCSD) should contact the DCSD Office of Transportation by 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. The Office of Transportation can be reached at 843-398-2213.

To ensure candidates receive the link to the Microsoft Teams Meeting, districts must submit the S-4 School Bus Driver Training and Admission Record to their designated SCDE Driver Training Coordinator by 12 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the class.

Bus drivers in DCSD can earn between $11.98 and $17.27 per hour with bonus opportunities every 45 days.

To be eligible to become a school bus driver a person must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have had a valid South Carolina driver’s license for at least one year.

1.     There are 10 steps to becoming a school bus driver:

2.     Complete an application for employment and paperwork to attend a training class.

3.     Pass a SLED background check.

4.     Pass a check of license history with the DMV.

5.     Complete State Department of Education classroom training (This is what is being offered virtually Nov. 9-12).

6.     Obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) permit.

7.     Pass a physical and a drug test.

8.     Train with district instructors for a length of time to be able to perform pre-trip skills and driving.

9.     Pass a physical performance test.

10. Obtain CDL license with proper endorsements.

11. Ride a route for five days with a driver.

For more information about this virtual training course and becoming a school bus driver, please contact the DCSD Office of Transportation at 843-398-2213.