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Bus or coach driver
Bus and coach drivers transport passengers on local, national or overseas journeys.
Average salary (a year)
£18000
Starter
£34000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
45.0 to 47.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:an apprenticeship; applying directly
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a passenger transport driver intermediate apprenticeship.
You will need to hold at least a Category B (car driving licence) to start training.
The apprenticeship typically takes 12 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You'll usually apply to bus or coach companies and train on the job.
Most companies will expect you to have a minimum of 1 year's car driving experience.
You would be put through Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driver training that normally lasts between 1 and 6 weeks.
Your employer would also give you training for the Certificate of Professional Competence or Driver CPC.
More Information
Further Information
You'll find details about the licences and training you'll need on Become a qualified bus driver.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Customer service skills
    Knowledge of public safety and security
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    Knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to operate and control equipment
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
Every 5 years you'll need to:take 35 hours of Driver CPC training, renew your bus driving licence if you're aged 45 or over
Find out more about applying for your provisional PCV licence.
Related Restrictions
have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) known as a Driver CPC
be over 18 years of age
have a full driving licence
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this role you could
take fares, check tickets and passes, give timetable or route information, help passengers who are having difficulty getting on or off the vehicle, drive safely and keep to timetables
If you're a coach driver, you may also
greet passengers and check documents, load and unload luggage, make announcements during the journey, make sure passengers are back on board for return journeys, and after scheduled stops, keep the coach clean and do basic vehicle checks, record driving hours and report any incidents, for trips abroad, keep passengers up to date with travel information and deal with border control authorities
Working environment
You could work from a vehicle.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could become a service scheduler, controller or inspector, depot manager or driver training instructor.
You could also set up your own business. For this you'll need the Transport Manager CPC in Passenger Transport. This could be done through a local training provider.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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