School bus drivers are usually stay at home parents, retirees or college students. They are different than over the road tractor trailer drivers. If school bus drivers were in a different class of CDL it would enable all school districts and school transportation contractors to be able to hire enough drivers needed to safely transport students in a timely manner. Currently school bus drivers must perform the same as truck drivers as far as the DOT physical and other regulations. The back ground checks should be more thorough as they work closely with kids. School bus drivers are all part time employees, they take students to school in the morning and bring them home in the afternoon. They do not cross state lines unless on a field or sports trip. They work less than 30 hours a week. Over the road tractor trailer drivers should not be in the same category as school bus drivers, their duties are more physical. Yes school bus drivers need to be able to help students safely out of the bus in the event of an accident, but their jobs do not require heavy lifting or anything requiring physical exertion.