Bus Driver Resume examples & templates
Copyable Bus Driver Resume examples
Like air traffic controllers who manage the invisible highways of the sky, bus drivers navigate the concrete arteries of our communities—but with one key difference: they do it while managing dozens of passengers face-to-face. Bus driving combines technical skill with customer service in a way few professions demand. You're simultaneously responsible for a 13-ton vehicle, the safety of 40+ passengers, and maintaining a schedule through unpredictable traffic and weather conditions. It's a career that's quietly transforming, too. With transit agencies across the country facing a shortage of qualified drivers (nearly 71% report recruitment difficulties according to a 2022 APTA survey), the profession now offers improved wages and benefits packages that would surprise most people.
The job has evolved far beyond the stereotype of just "driving a bus." Today's drivers work with sophisticated navigation systems, manage accessibility equipment, and often serve as the first point of contact for tourists and newcomers to a city. As electric buses continue replacing diesel fleets and transit-oriented development reshapes urban planning, skilled drivers are positioned to play an even more central role in our increasingly connected communities.
Junior Bus Driver Resume Example
Marcus Johnson
Denver, CO 80202 • (720) 555-3194 • mjohnson.driver@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/marcusjohnson
Reliable CDL-A licensed bus driver with 1.5 years of experience providing safe transportation for passengers. Committed to maintaining exceptional safety standards with a perfect driving record and 100% on-time departure rate; Strong focus on passenger comfort and accessibility needs, particularly for elderly and disabled riders. Looking to grow my career with a transportation company that values safety and customer service.
EXPERIENCE
Transit Bus Driver – Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD)
May 2022 – Present
- Safely transport 300+ daily passengers on scheduled routes throughout Denver metro area
- Maintain 97% on-time performance record across 3 different routes spanning 42 miles
- Assist passengers with special needs including wheelchair securement and boarding assistance
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, identifying 5 critical maintenance issues before they caused service disruptions
- Navigate challenging weather conditions while maintaining perfect safety record (zero accidents)
Shuttle Driver (Part-time) – Mountain View Senior Living
January 2022 – May 2022
- Transported senior residents to medical appointments, shopping centers, and community events
- Developed personal rapport with 40+ regular riders, learning their preferences and needs
- Maintained detailed transportation logs and coordinated with nursing staff for special accommodations
- Received “Employee of the Month” recognition (March 2022) for exceptional service
Delivery Driver – Pizza Palace
June 2021 – December 2021
- Delivered food orders throughout 15-mile radius, averaging 18 deliveries per shift
- Managed cash transactions and maintained accurate delivery records
- Performed basic vehicle maintenance to ensure reliable service
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with Passenger Endorsement
Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles
Obtained December 2021
Basic First Aid and CPR Certification
American Red Cross
Completed March 2022
High School Diploma
East Denver High School
Graduated May 2020
SKILLS
- Defensive driving techniques
- Passenger assistance & wheelchair securement
- Route navigation & GPS systems
- Vehicle pre-trip inspections
- Radio communication protocols
- Basic vehicle maintenance
- Customer service & conflict resolution
- Ticket verification systems
- Emergency response procedures
- Scheduling & time management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Clean driving record with zero violations or accidents
Bilingual: English and conversational Spanish
Availability: Open to various shifts including weekends and holidays
Mid-level Bus Driver Resume Example
Derrick Sanchez
(651) 442-5738 • d.sanchez87@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/derricksanchez • St. Paul, MN 55106
Reliable CDL-licensed Bus Driver with 5+ years of safe driving experience and a spotless safety record. Known for exceptional route management and passenger relations skills. Consistently maintained 97% on-time performance while ensuring passenger comfort and safety. Passionate about providing dependable transportation services with a friendly, professional approach.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Transit Operator – Metro Transit Authority, St. Paul, MN
March 2021 – Present
- Operate 40-foot and 60-foot articulated buses on high-volume urban routes, safely transporting 400+ passengers daily
- Maintain perfect safety record with zero preventable accidents over 19,000+ hours of service
- Reduced passenger complaints by 27% through improved communication techniques and conflict resolution
- Train 4-6 new drivers quarterly on route navigation, fare collection systems, and accessibility equipment
- Received “Driver of the Quarter” recognition twice for exceptional service and attendance (Winter 2022, Summer 2023)
Bus Driver – Highland Park School District, St. Paul, MN
August 2019 – March 2021
- Transported 75+ students daily on morning and afternoon routes while ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols
- Conducted pre-trip and post-trip inspections on 3 different bus models, documenting maintenance needs
- Maintained discipline on routes with students from K-12, developing positive relationships with regular riders
- Navigated challenging weather conditions while maintaining a 95% on-time arrival rate
Shuttle Driver (Part-time) – Airport Express Services, Minneapolis, MN
May 2018 – August 2019
- Operated 15-passenger shuttle vans between MSP International Airport and 5 major hotels
- Assisted passengers with luggage handling and provided information about local attractions
- Maintained detailed trip logs and coordinated with dispatch to optimize pick-up schedules during peak travel times
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with Passenger Endorsement
Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Renewed January 2023
Associate of Applied Science, Transportation Management
Minneapolis Community and Technical College – 2018
Certifications:
- DOT Medical Certification (Current through 2025)
- Defensive Driving Certification – National Safety Council
- Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Training
- CPR/First Aid Certification – American Red Cross
SKILLS
- Route optimization & navigation
- Vehicle maintenance & inspection
- Passenger assistance techniques
- Weather-related driving adaptations
- Conflict de-escalation
- Radio communication protocols
- Electronic logging & reporting
- ADA compliance & accessibility equipment
- Fare collection systems (cash/card/mobile)
- Emergency response procedures
Technical Skills: TransitMaster MDT systems, RouteMatch software, Zonar pre/post-trip inspection system, GeoTab GPS tracking
Senior / Experienced Bus Driver Resume Example
Marcus Harding
Phone: (612) 555-4903 | Email: m.harding@mailpro.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcusharding
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Dedicated Commercial Driver with 11+ years experience safely transporting passengers in urban environments. Known for excellent safety record (zero at-fault incidents since 2016) and 97% on-time performance. Strong knowledge of DOT regulations and passenger assistance protocols. Bilingual English/Spanish with a talent for defusing tense situations and ensuring passenger comfort.
Professional Experience
Senior Transit Operator | Metro Transit Authority | Minneapolis, MN | 2019-Present
- Drive 40+ ft articulated buses on high-volume routes carrying 1,200+ passengers daily
- Maintain 98.3% on-time departure rate while adhering to strict safety protocols
- Lead training sessions for 17 new drivers on winter driving techniques and emergency procedures
- Received “Driver of the Quarter” recognition twice for exceptional customer service and safety
- Coordinate with dispatch to adapt routes during road construction and special events
Transit Operator | Metro Transit Authority | Minneapolis, MN | 2016-2019
- Safely operated buses on 8 different routes throughout metropolitan area
- Maintained clean MVR with zero preventable accidents across 63,000+ miles driven
- Assisted passengers with disabilities according to ADA requirements
- Troubleshot minor mechanical issues, reducing roadside assistance calls by 24%
School Bus Driver | North Star Transportation | St. Paul, MN | 2013-2016
- Transported K-12 students on regular routes and for special activities
- Developed positive relationships with students and parents on regular routes
- Maintained discipline and safety standards on bus with up to 54 children
- Performed daily pre-trip inspections and basic maintenance checks
Certifications & Education
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with Passenger Endorsement
Minnesota Department of Public Safety | Current
First Aid & CPR Certification
American Red Cross | Renewed 2022
Defensive Driving Certification
National Safety Council | 2019
Associate of Applied Science, Automotive Technology
Hennepin Technical College | 2012
Skills
- Route Optimization & Navigation
- Preventative Vehicle Maintenance
- Passenger Assistance Techniques
- Emergency Response Protocols
- Weather-Related Driving Adaptations
- DOT Regulations & Compliance
- Conflict Resolution
- Radio Communication
- Wheelchair Lift Operation
- Basic Vehicle Troubleshooting
- Bilingual: English & Spanish
Professional Development
- Transit Safety & Security Workshop, American Public Transportation Association, 2021
- De-escalation Techniques for Public Transportation, Metro Transit, 2020
- Winter Driving Safety Instructor Certification, Minnesota Safety Council, 2019
How to Write a Bus Driver Resume
Introduction
A well-crafted bus driver resume can be the difference between landing an interview or getting lost in the application pile. As someone who's reviewed thousands of transportation resumes, I can tell you that hiring managers typically spend just 7-8 seconds scanning each resume before deciding whether to continue reading. Your resume needs to quickly show that you're reliable, safety-conscious and customer-oriented – the key qualities every transportation company looks for.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and readable – just like you'd keep your bus! Aim for 1-2 pages depending on your experience level. Most bus companies prefer traditional formats that are easy to scan.
- Use a standard, readable font like Arial or Calibri in 11-12pt size
- Include clear section headings with your name and contact info at the top
- Stick to reverse-chronological format (most recent jobs first)
- Leave reasonable white space – don't cram everything together
- Save as a PDF unless the application specifically requests another format
Pro tip: Many bus companies use digital filing systems. Make sure your resume filename includes your name (e.g., "John_Smith_Bus_Driver_Resume.pdf") so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle!
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 3-4 lines that highlight your driving experience, safety record and people skills. This is your "commercial" to get them interested in reading more.
Example: "CDL-licensed bus driver with 6+ years transporting passengers in urban environments. Perfect safety record with 97% on-time performance. Known for excellent route knowledge, calm demeanor in high-stress situations and positive passenger interactions."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. Focus on:
- Safety records and achievements (accident-free miles, safety awards)
- Types of vehicles operated (passenger capacity, special equipment)
- Routes and environments you've handled (city transit, school routes, tour operations)
- Customer service elements (passenger assistance, conflict resolution)
- Maintenance responsibilities (pre-trip inspections, minor repairs)
Quantify whenever possible! "Maintained 99.3% on-time arrival rate while safely transporting up to 72 passengers on high-volume urban routes" is much stronger than "Drove bus routes on time."
Education and Certifications
This section is crucial for bus drivers! Include:
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements (passenger, air brakes, etc.)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Defensive driving certifications
- First aid/CPR training
- Any specialized training (ADA compliance, wheelchair securement, etc.)
Always list expiration dates for licenses and certifications – employers need to know they're current!
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many transit companies and school districts use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human sees them. Include these terms naturally throughout your resume:
- CDL, Passenger Endorsement, Air Brakes
- DOT regulations, Hours of Service
- Pre-trip inspection, Post-trip inspection
- Defensive driving, Safety compliance
- Passenger assistance, Customer service
- Route management, Navigation
Industry-specific Terms
Showing familiarity with bus industry terminology demonstrates your experience level. Consider including terms like:
- Fixed-route service vs. paratransit
- Kneel feature (for accessibility)
- Fare collection systems you've operated
- Radio communication protocols
- Specific dispatch systems or GPS technologies
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen lots of bus driver resumes fall flat because of these errors:
- Vague descriptions without specifics about vehicle types or passenger counts
- Focusing too much on driving and not enough on customer service aspects
- Forgetting to mention perfect attendance or reliability metrics (huge for employers!)
- Leaving off safety achievements or safe driving awards
- Using too much technical jargon without showing people skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Drove city bus routes and helped passengers."
After: "Safely operated 40-foot transit buses on 5 high-volume urban routes, serving 378+ passengers daily. Maintained perfect attendance for 14 consecutive months while achieving 100% compliance on all DOT-required pre-trip inspections."
Remember, your resume should showcase both your technical driving abilities AND your soft skills. Bus companies need drivers who are not just skilled behind the wheel but who also represent their organization positively to the public!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Bus Driver resume
- Passenger conflict resolution – able to defuse tense situations without escalating issues, even when running behind schedule
- Clear communication with diverse groups (elderly passengers, parents with children, tourists, etc.)
- Adaptability to unexpected route changes, traffic situations, and weather conditions
- Split-second decision making while maintaining calm under pressure
- Time management across varying traffic patterns (managed to stay within 4 minutes of schedule during downtown construction)
- Patience with difficult passengers while maintaining professional boundaries
Hard skills for your Bus Driver resume
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B with Passenger Endorsement
- Air Brake Certification
- Defensive Driving Techniques
- RouteMatch Software Navigation
- Wheelchair Lift Operation and Securement Systems
- Basic Vehicle Maintenance and Pre-Trip Inspection
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compliance
- Transit Radio Communication Protocols
- DOT Hours of Service Regulations Knowledge