Become a Bus Driver

Learning to become a bus driver involves more than you may realise. To become a bus driver you need good skills with people and vehicles. If you are interested in becoming a bus driver or if you would like to find out just what it takes details follow on how to become a bus driver.

If you are interested in becoming a bus driver you should hold a current driving licence for a car and be an experienced driver. Already holding a PCV Licence will enhance your prospects but many employers will enrol you on the PCV course where you will learn how to drive a bus so it's not neccessarily a deal breaker !

The PCV training will usually take around six weeks and involves a medical exam, theory test and a practical test. If your employer cannot enrol you to study for the PCV you can arrange to study and complete the tests privately. If you are unemployed you may be able to have the PCV training and test funded via a New Deal arrangement.

Once you are qualified you will have an induction where you will learn customer service skills, how to operate equipment, health and safety issues and other basics. Once you have completed your PCV licence and you are employed you can start to study towards an NVQ level 2 in Road Passenger Transport. With this course you can choose units and specialise in one field such as bus or coach driving, community transport or customer care.

Bus drivers usually work in shifts where they will do similar routes on outbound and return journeys. At the beginning of a shift the bus driver will usually check that their bus is in good working order. Bus drivers need to be punctual in order to arrive at each of the stops in time and may have to wait if traffic is less busy than expected and they arrive at stops too early.

Bus drivers need to have good communication skills and be approachable. Bus drivers will issue tickets and try to deal with enquiries from customers so a good knowledge of local areas and services is necessary. Bus drivers may also be required to assist disabled or elderly people getting onto and off the bus as well as people with prams or excessive loads of luggage.