Bus Company: what it takes to hire the people

So you're wondering what type of paperwork is involved in hiring a driver? Here's a list:

* there's the application itself, of course

* your insurance company will have to approve the driver, by checking his/her DMV records (not too many violations, not suspended, etc.)

* your driver needs to be added to the drug / alcohol testing "pool" to be randomly chosen every quarter for tests

* your driver needs a copy of the company drug/alcohol testing policy, which details what is tested, what circumstances will trigger a test, and where to go for test, among other things

* your driver needs a company policy / employee handbook, which details the company policy on mundane items such as how is salary calculated, lunch time and breaks, vacation times, how is leave calculated, non-tolerance of harassment, and much more

* your driver needs a driver safety policy which discusses the policy company has when it comes to safety... most of which are obvious, but must be written down, stuff like "don't exceed max driving hours", "stop before a railroad crossing", "do not speed", as well as what you will do if you catch them doing so (i.e. disciplinary procedures)

* your driver, in CA at least, needs handouts on disability insurance, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation insurance, social security, and prohibition of sexual harassment brochure.

* your driver needs to get tested for drug/alcohol unless they were tested in last 6 months, and if so, you need to get the test results from their ex-employer. You cannot send them out on a job UNTIL you got the results and they show negative.

* your driver should get a copy of DOT regulations relevant to buses

* your driver needs to sign paperwork that they have received all of the above (initial each item) as well as they promise to read them.

* your driver needs to sign a paper promising that s/he has only ONE commercial driver's license.

* your driver needs to supply a copy of the the license, along with the "medical certificate". This can be used in lieu of a road test, unless that is required under company policy.

There's probably a few items that I missed, but this is the majority of them.

Next article, what buses are available, and which is good for what.