OPT School Bus Driver Jobs
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 JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you looking for the perfect combination of Pay, Benefits, and Flexibility? Look no further!
Join WE Transport as a School Bus or Van Driver and enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance. Plus, you’ll make a positive impact on the lives of children in your community by ensuring they get to school safely.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
WE Transport is currently hiring in Westchester County. A CDL license is a plus, but if you don't have one, we offer FREE CDL training once you obtain your permit!
What We Offer:
- Flexible Schedule: Split-shift with morning and afternoon shifts
- Guaranteed Hours: 30 hours per week
- FREE CDL Training with CDL B Permit with Passenger and School Bus Endorsement
- $2,000 Bonus upon completion of CDL training and certification
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus SUV Drivers: $21.21 per hour
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus Van Drivers: $24.40 per hour
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus Drivers: $26.52 per hour (CDL A or B with P and S Endorsement Required)
- Earned Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
- 401(k) with company match
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- Optional Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Job Responsibilities:
- Operate a school bus or van to transport students to and from school safely and on time.
- Monitor traffic, road conditions, and student behavior to ensure a safe ride.
- Comply with all federal, state, and local traffic laws, as well as district requirements and standards.
- Perform pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections and report any issues.
- Assist passengers with boarding and exiting the vehicle when necessary.
Job Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years old with a minimum of 1 year of driving experience.
- Possess a valid NYS CDL Class A or B with P & S endorsements for buses, or a Class C with P & S endorsements for vans (or willingness to obtain through our free training).
- Ability to pass a drug test, background check, and maintain compliance with state and federal CDL guidelines.
- Non-CDL drivers must hold a valid driver’s license with CDL B Permit with Passenger and School Bus Endorsement to complete CDL training.
ABOUT WE TRANSPORT
Since 1959, WE Transport has been a leading provider of school transportation services across Long Island, Bronx and Westchester. We specialize in home-to-school transportation for public, private, parochial, and special needs students.
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.
INTRODUCTION
Are you looking for the perfect combination of Pay, Benefits, and Flexibility? Look no further!
Join WE Transport as a School Bus or Van Driver and enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance. Plus, you’ll make a positive impact on the lives of children in your community by ensuring they get to school safely.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
WE Transport is currently hiring in Westchester County. A CDL license is a plus, but if you don't have one, we offer FREE CDL training once you obtain your permit!
What We Offer:
- Flexible Schedule: Split-shift with morning and afternoon shifts
- Guaranteed Hours: 30 hours per week
- FREE CDL Training with CDL B Permit with Passenger and School Bus Endorsement
- $2,000 Bonus upon completion of CDL training and certification
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus SUV Drivers: $21.21 per hour
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus Van Drivers: $24.40 per hour
- Starting Pay Rate for School Bus Drivers: $26.52 per hour (CDL A or B with P and S Endorsement Required)
- Earned Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
- 401(k) with company match
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- Optional Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Job Responsibilities:
- Operate a school bus or van to transport students to and from school safely and on time.
- Monitor traffic, road conditions, and student behavior to ensure a safe ride.
- Comply with all federal, state, and local traffic laws, as well as district requirements and standards.
- Perform pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections and report any issues.
- Assist passengers with boarding and exiting the vehicle when necessary.
Job Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years old with a minimum of 1 year of driving experience.
- Possess a valid NYS CDL Class A or B with P & S endorsements for buses, or a Class C with P & S endorsements for vans (or willingness to obtain through our free training).
- Ability to pass a drug test, background check, and maintain compliance with state and federal CDL guidelines.
- Non-CDL drivers must hold a valid driver’s license with CDL B Permit with Passenger and School Bus Endorsement to complete CDL training.
ABOUT WE TRANSPORT
Since 1959, WE Transport has been a leading provider of school transportation services across Long Island, Bronx and Westchester. We specialize in home-to-school transportation for public, private, parochial, and special needs students.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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.
School Bus Driver OPT: Frequently 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.