License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Highlights
License required in 51 states
25th most burdensome licensing requirements
6th most heavily regulated occupation
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Definition
School bus drivers transport students or special clients, such as the elderly or persons with disabilities. Drivers ensure adherence to safety rules and may assist passengers in boarding or exiting.
Summary
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require a license for school bus drivers. Every state requires at least six exams; Rhode Island
requires seven, and West Virginia and Arizona require eight. Every state imposes fees ranging from nine dollars (Montana) to $239 (Oregon) and minimum age requirements of 18 or 21. West Virginia also requires that applicants complete the 12th grade. Twenty states require that applicants have previous driving experience in the form of possessing a driver's license for anywhere from six months (North Carolina) to five years (Florida and Montana). Of those 20 states, 15 also require a short course or other form of training. Twenty-two states require only a short course or behind-the-wheel training ranging from one to 10 days. Eight states and D.C. have no experience or training requirement. These requirements rank as the 25th most burdensome among occupations studied. Because school bus drivers are licensed everywhere, the occupation ranks as the sixth most widely and onerously licensed.