Becoming a School Bus Driver

To operate a school bus in Manitoba, drivers must obtain a Class 2 driver’s licence from Driver and Vehicle Licencing (DDVL), a division of Manitoba Public Insurance. Additionally, school divisions in Manitoba (as well as various private organizations) require that their drivers obtain a School Bus Operator’s Certificate – a document issued by the Pupil Transportation Unit (PTU), Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth.

If You Have Never Driven A School Bus, And Do Not Hold a Class 2 Driver’s Licence you will be required to:

Successfully complete 24 hours of classroom instruction.

This instruction is offered by local school divisions and school bus contractors, and is intended to prepare potential school bus drivers for the various tests that will be administered as they acquire their Class 2 driver's licence from DDVL. Instruction focuses primarily on the six areas of school bus operation: school bus driver role and responsibility; pupil relations; preventive maintenance; driving fundamentals; defensive driving; and, accident prevention and emergencies. At the conclusion of classroom instruction, a pre-trip school bus inspection and road test in a school bus vehicle will be conducted.

Acquire a Class 2 driver’s licence.

This involves successful completion of a number of tests including: physical examination requirements administered by a licensed physician; vision test; sign recognition test; written tests which will include general driving questions, questions specific to Class 2 driving, and questions specific to school bus operation; and, a pre-trip school bus inspection and road test in a school bus vehicle taken with a DDVL examiner.

Upon successful completion of the above steps, the school division/contractor through which the individual completed the classroom instruction will complete and submit an endorsement form to PTU, at which time a School Bus Operator's Certificate will be issued.

If You Have Never Driven A School Bus But Have A Class 1 Or Class 2 Licence, you will need to:

Successfully complete 24 hours of classroom instruction.

This instruction is offered by local school divisions and school bus contractors. Instruction focuses primarily on the six areas of school bus operation: school bus driver role and responsibility; pupil relations; preventive maintenance; driving fundamentals; defensive driving; and, accident prevention and emergencies. At the conclusion of classroom instruction, a pre-trip school bus inspection and road test in a school bus vehicle will be conducted.

Upon successful completion of the classroom training, pre-trip inspection and road test, the school division/contractor will complete and submit an endorsement form to PTU, at which time a School Bus Operator’s Certificate will be issued.