School Bus Driver Jobs for OPT Students
School Bus Driver jobs on OPT are less common than office roles, but they do exist, particularly through school districts and transportation contractors that sponsor CDL holders. Your OPT authorization must cover transportation or a related field, and you'll need a Commercial Driver's License with a school bus endorsement before most employers will consider you.
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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 School Bus Driver
Get your CDL with a school bus endorsement first
Most districts won't interview you without a valid Commercial Driver's License and school bus (S) endorsement. Completing this before applying removes the biggest hiring barrier and signals you're ready to work immediately, not after a lengthy training period.
Target large school districts and private transportation contractors
Large urban school districts and national contractors like First Student or Durham School Services hire at scale and are more likely to have HR teams familiar with work authorization. Smaller districts often lack the infrastructure to sponsor or verify OPT status correctly.
Apply well before your OPT start date
School bus hiring follows an academic calendar. Districts recruit heavily in late spring for fall routes. Applying two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers time to process paperwork without feeling rushed by your work authorization deadline.
Be upfront about your OPT authorization window
School districts value route continuity. Proactively explain that OPT lasts 12 months and discuss STEM extension eligibility if applicable. Hiding your authorization timeline and surprising an employer mid-year damages trust and reduces your chance of any H-1B sponsorship consideration.
Highlight any prior driving or transportation experience
Experience driving large vehicles, charter buses, or delivery trucks strengthens your application significantly. Districts want evidence you can handle a 40-foot vehicle safely. International driving experience is relevant, but confirm your foreign license converts properly under your state's DMV rules.
Ask directly whether the district sponsors work visas
Not every district is set up to sponsor H-1B or other long-term visas. Ask HR during your first conversation rather than after a job offer. This saves weeks of time and helps you prioritize employers who have sponsored drivers before and understand the process.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as school bus drivers in the United States?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work as school bus drivers as long as the role is directly related to their field of study on their OPT authorization. Transportation, logistics, and education-adjacent programs are the most common qualifying fields. You'll also need a valid CDL with a school bus endorsement, which is a state-level requirement independent of your immigration status.
Do school bus driver jobs typically lead to H-1B or other long-term visa sponsorship?
Sponsorship is rare for school bus driver roles. H-1B visas require the position to qualify as a specialty occupation, which generally means a role requiring a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Bus driving typically does not meet that threshold. Some districts may sponsor other visa categories, but most OPT students in this role will need to transition to a different position to secure long-term status.
Where can I find school bus driver jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. It lists jobs where employers have indicated openness to OPT and work authorization, saving you the time of filtering through postings that don't apply to international students. From there, you can reach out directly to district HR departments to confirm their sponsorship policies before investing time in a full application.
Does a school bus driver job qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. STEM OPT extension requires the job to be directly related to a STEM-designated degree program. School bus driving is a skilled trade role, not a STEM occupation. If your degree is in a STEM field, you'll need to demonstrate a clear connection between the role and your specific field of study, which is very difficult to establish for a driving position.
What happens to my OPT status if my school district route is cancelled or my contract ends early?
F-1 OPT students are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during their authorization period. If your route is cancelled or your contract ends, that unemployment clock starts immediately. You'll need to find a new qualifying position before the 90-day limit is reached. Report any employment changes to your DSO promptly so your SEVP record stays accurate and your status remains valid.
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