Bus Driver Jobs for OPT Students
Bus Driver jobs on OPT are available through public transit agencies, school districts, and private operators. Most roles require a Commercial Driver's License, which takes time to obtain, so starting that process early is critical for OPT students managing authorization timelines.
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Get Access To All JobsPaid CDL Training | $20.60–$25.75/hr
🚍 Now Hiring Part‑Time School Bus Drivers in Oak Grove, Missouri
Employer of Choice! Apply online today or attend a weekday walk‑in interview in Oak Grove, MO.
Voted one of the Best Companies to Work For (2025–2026) by U.S. News & World Report.
Job Details
- Location: Oak Grove, MO
- Schedule: Split shift (AM + PM required); opportunities for midday and activity runs
- Perks: No nights, weekends, or holidays; summers off!
- Starting Pay: $20.60–$25.75 per hour
- Paid CDL Training: No experience required—we guide you every step of the way.
✅ Walk‑In Interviews
Monday–Friday | 9: 00 AM–2:00 PM
🛠️ No CDL? Our "Fast-Track to Permit" Program
We don't just train you to drive; we help you get licensed from scratch.
- Permit Prep: We provide 8 hours of dedicated classroom prep to ensure you are ready for the DMV written exam.
- Costs Covered: We pay your DMV permit fees.
- Medical & Drug Screen: Once you have your permit, we cover the costs of your DOT physical and drug screen.
- Permit Bonus: Receive a $250 bonus in your first paycheck after obtaining your permit and starting as an employee!
❤️ Why Drive With Us?
- Flexible, part‑time schedules
- Supportive, family-first culture
- Make a real difference in your local community
- Paid CDL training and testing
- Strong safety and attendance bonuses
👥 This Job Is Perfect For:
- Retirees seeking supplemental income
- Stay‑at‑home parents
- Veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- Healthcare, retail, or hospitality workers seeking a better work-life balance
📞 Contact Us
To speak with a recruiter – Call (913) 333-1448
🎁 Benefits
- Paid CDL training ($15.45/hr during training)
- Safety & attendance bonuses
- Medical fixed‑payment indemnity
- Dental & vision
- Accident & critical illness coverage
- Voluntary life/AD&D
- Select holiday pay
- Military encouraged to apply
💰 Bonus Details
The Permit Bonus: To support our new drivers, we offer a $250 Permit Bonus paid during your first week as an employee after successfully obtaining your commercial learner's permit.
The Sign-On Bonus: Eligibility: Must work both AM and PM routes and remain in good standing.
- Fully Credentialed CDL Drivers ($3,000): * $1,000 after 90 days / $750 after 180 days / $750 after 270 days
- Non‑CDL Candidates ($1,500): * $500 after 90 days / $500 after 180 days / $500 after 270 days
DS Bus Lines, INC. (part of Beacon Mobility) is a values-based company with over 30 years of experience. Family, Safety, Service, and Respect are our core values. Join us in safeguarding our community's most precious cargo!
Beacon Mobility is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Beacon Mobility makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
DS Bus Lines is a family-oriented company that focuses on our core values of family, respect, service, and safety. We understand how important of a responsibility transporting children is and we take that role very seriously. We strive to create mutual respect and trust with school districts so that we can work together to provide the best possible service for students and parents.
Paid CDL Training | $20.60–$25.75/hr
🚍 Now Hiring Part‑Time School Bus Drivers in Oak Grove, Missouri
Employer of Choice! Apply online today or attend a weekday walk‑in interview in Oak Grove, MO.
Voted one of the Best Companies to Work For (2025–2026) by U.S. News & World Report.
Job Details
- Location: Oak Grove, MO
- Schedule: Split shift (AM + PM required); opportunities for midday and activity runs
- Perks: No nights, weekends, or holidays; summers off!
- Starting Pay: $20.60–$25.75 per hour
- Paid CDL Training: No experience required—we guide you every step of the way.
✅ Walk‑In Interviews
Monday–Friday | 9: 00 AM–2:00 PM
🛠️ No CDL? Our "Fast-Track to Permit" Program
We don't just train you to drive; we help you get licensed from scratch.
- Permit Prep: We provide 8 hours of dedicated classroom prep to ensure you are ready for the DMV written exam.
- Costs Covered: We pay your DMV permit fees.
- Medical & Drug Screen: Once you have your permit, we cover the costs of your DOT physical and drug screen.
- Permit Bonus: Receive a $250 bonus in your first paycheck after obtaining your permit and starting as an employee!
❤️ Why Drive With Us?
- Flexible, part‑time schedules
- Supportive, family-first culture
- Make a real difference in your local community
- Paid CDL training and testing
- Strong safety and attendance bonuses
👥 This Job Is Perfect For:
- Retirees seeking supplemental income
- Stay‑at‑home parents
- Veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- Healthcare, retail, or hospitality workers seeking a better work-life balance
📞 Contact Us
To speak with a recruiter – Call (913) 333-1448
🎁 Benefits
- Paid CDL training ($15.45/hr during training)
- Safety & attendance bonuses
- Medical fixed‑payment indemnity
- Dental & vision
- Accident & critical illness coverage
- Voluntary life/AD&D
- Select holiday pay
- Military encouraged to apply
💰 Bonus Details
The Permit Bonus: To support our new drivers, we offer a $250 Permit Bonus paid during your first week as an employee after successfully obtaining your commercial learner's permit.
The Sign-On Bonus: Eligibility: Must work both AM and PM routes and remain in good standing.
- Fully Credentialed CDL Drivers ($3,000): * $1,000 after 90 days / $750 after 180 days / $750 after 270 days
- Non‑CDL Candidates ($1,500): * $500 after 90 days / $500 after 180 days / $500 after 270 days
DS Bus Lines, INC. (part of Beacon Mobility) is a values-based company with over 30 years of experience. Family, Safety, Service, and Respect are our core values. Join us in safeguarding our community's most precious cargo!
Beacon Mobility is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Beacon Mobility makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
DS Bus Lines is a family-oriented company that focuses on our core values of family, respect, service, and safety. We understand how important of a responsibility transporting children is and we take that role very seriously. We strive to create mutual respect and trust with school districts so that we can work together to provide the best possible service for students and parents.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Bus Driver
Start your CDL before your OPT begins
A Commercial Driver's License is required for nearly all bus driver positions. Begin CDL training and testing while still in school so you're job-ready on day one of your OPT period, not weeks into it.
Target public transit agencies first
Municipal and regional transit authorities like city bus systems frequently hire on OPT because they're familiar with federal work authorization. They often have structured onboarding that accommodates documentation requirements more smoothly than private operators.
Confirm your OPT EAD covers your start date
Bus driver hiring often moves quickly once you pass background and road tests. Verify your Employment Authorization Document is valid before your first day, since driving routes without active authorization creates serious immigration compliance risks.
Disclose your work authorization early in the process
Background checks and CDL verification already make bus driver hiring thorough. Raising your OPT status early avoids late-stage delays and shows professionalism. Most transit employers appreciate transparency over last-minute documentation surprises during onboarding.
Check whether your degree field supports this role for STEM OPT
STEM OPT extension requires a direct connection between your degree and your job. Transportation management, logistics, or engineering degrees may support a STEM extension argument for certain bus operations or fleet management roles.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a bus driver on F-1 OPT?
Yes, F-1 OPT authorizes full-time employment in positions related to your field of study. Bus driver roles can qualify depending on your degree, particularly for students with backgrounds in transportation, logistics, or related fields. Your Employment Authorization Document must be valid before you begin driving any route.
Do bus driver employers typically sponsor OPT students?
Public transit agencies are generally more accommodating of OPT work authorization than private employers because they operate under structured HR processes familiar with federal documentation requirements. School districts and regional transit authorities are good targets. Browse open positions on Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT candidates in transportation roles.
Does a bus driver role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. A standard bus driver position alone is unlikely to qualify, but roles with a logistics, transportation engineering, or fleet operations component may support a STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field. Your DSO and employer must both agree the job is directly related to your program of study.
Can I get a CDL while on F-1 status before OPT starts?
Yes, obtaining a Commercial Driver's License while on F-1 status is legal because holding a license is not the same as working. You can complete CDL training and pass the licensing exam before your OPT period begins, so you're fully qualified to start driving the moment your Employment Authorization Document becomes valid.
What happens to my bus driver job if my OPT expires before I get an H-1B?
You must stop working the day your OPT authorization expires. If your H-1B wasn't selected in the lottery or your petition is still pending, you'll lose work authorization. Some transit employers will hold positions for cap-gap periods if an H-1B petition was filed on time. Discuss this scenario with your employer well before your OPT end date.
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