Charlotte schools are facing a bus driver shortage. Here’s how you can fulfill the need
Some Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students may have to wait longer to catch the bus as the district faces a driver shortage.
CMS has 45 bus driver vacancies with 30 drivers in the pipeline that begin training this week, The Charlotte Observer reported.
For now, some drivers are taking on extra routes to ensure all students have a ride to school, WBTV in Charlotte reported.
The lack of drivers in the Charlotte area and elsewhere aligns with a national trend of worker shortages across the country. According to HopSkipDrive, a national school ride service company, around 88 percent of school districts are impacted by shortages that have been initiated by retirements, wages and drivers demanding better working conditions.
Most adults with a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record and prior work history can apply for a bus driver position. Here are the requirements to become a bus driver for CMS and how much they earn.
Requirements to become a CMS bus driver
According to CMS, prospective bus drivers must:
Be able to pass the North Carolina school bus driver written and road test
Have a valid driver’s license for at least six months
Have at least six months of professional work experience
Be at least 18 years of age
Have a good driving record
Have good references
Have dependable transportation to and from work
Have the ability to work with students and adults
Be able to perform essential functions of the job
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle requires bus driver applicants to obtain a commercial learner permit before enrolling in behind-the-wheel training, according to CMS.
Permit holders must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and be accompanied by a licensed commercial driver when operating a commercial vehicle, according to NCDMV.
CMS bus driver salary
The current hourly pay rate for CMS bus drivers is $17.75.
Bus drivers typically work 30-40 hours per week for nine months, a spokesperson for CMS told the Observer in an email, meaning they can earn up to $25,560 during the school year.
How to apply to become a CMS bus driver
The CMS bus driver application form can be found on the district’s website. If you have any questions about the application, you can contact CMS at 980-343-6715.
Charlotte Observer reporter Anna Maria Della Costa contributed to this story.
