School bus driver training will be offered at Watauga High School Jan. 29-31. The classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, and there is no fee for this training. 

Before attending the class, anyone who is not a current Watauga County Schools employee must have a recommendation from the principal or assistant principal at the school where they want to be hired.

“We encourage everyone who is interested in being a school bus driver to obtain the required recommendation and attend these classes,” said WCS Transportation Director Jeff Lyons.

A school bus driver training class must be completed in order to receive the CDL license required to drive a school bus in North Carolina. The starting pay for school bus drivers in Watauga County is $13.04 per hour.

Each student’s driving record is screened through the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles the first day of class. In addition to the driving record check, a criminal background check is conducted of all prospective school system employees before they start work.

Each student should bring his or her driver’s license, Social Security card, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter to the first meeting. For directions or additional information, please contact Jeff Lyons at 828-264-6391.