What does a bus driver do?
A bus driver is responsible for the comfort and safety of passengers while they travel on the vehicle. In this role, applicants are required to have a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence to be able to drive the bus and transport passengers from a designated pick-up location to a designated drop-off location. Driving should be done according to a set schedule. Bus drivers often work for communities but can also work for hospitals or care homes to transport patients from one place to the other. They can be assigned to drive school children from one location to another as well.
Bus driver skills and qualifications
In this role, the bus driver needs to have a high sense of responsibility and good customer service. Successful bus driver candidates also have the following skills to be able to best fulfil their duties in the role:
- Being an excellent and skilful driver
- Being welcoming, polite but also assertive when required
- Having a good sense of customer service
- Knowing about the appropriate safety and security measures associated with the role
- Being focussed and having good attention to detail
- Having a good knowledge of routes
- Being patient, responsible and reliable
- Having a high sense of responsibility
Bus driver experience requirements
A bus driver should display the right skills. These skills can be gained through training but also through experience gained on the job. Employers will look for candidates who have a good understanding of their responsibilities and who have experienced different situations throughout their careers. The knowledge of what happens on the road and the appropriate qualifications are evidence of the attributes required for the job. In this position, bus drivers gain experience in driving and interacting with passengers. With time, their navigation skills become more natural.
Bus driver education and training requirements
Applicants for bus driver positions need to be holders of a special licence. This licence is the PCV licence, which stands for Passenger Carrying Vehicles and gives drivers the right to transport large groups of people. To get this licence, a full UK driving licence is required. Having a clean driving history is a must and trainee drivers should also be over 18 or sometimes over 21 years old depending on the employer’s insurance policy. The other required exam to work as a bus driver is the Certificate of Professional Competence, which consists of 35 hours of training and needs to be renewed every 5 years. This profession can be achieved through apprenticeship or through direct application when the appropriate qualifications are gained.
Bus driver salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a bus driver in the United Kingdom is £21,723 per year. This salary will depend on the level of experience of the bus driver, the location of the job as well as other influential factors.
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Bus driver job description FAQs
What should you look for when recruiting for a bus driver?
When hiring for a bus driver position, employers should focus on two key elements: safety and customer service. A good bus driver greets their passengers as they board and makes them feel welcome. Driving in a safe and smooth manner is also essential.
How many hours a week can a bus driver work for?
There are rota regulations for bus driver working hours. This is for safety and security reasons. A bus driver should not drive more than seven hours and 51 minutes per day. They should average below 40 hours per week and must have two rest days per week.
What should you look for in a bus driver’s CV?
When screening through resumes for bus drivers, employers should check for the appropriate qualifications as well as the skills and experiences of the candidate. The desired skills may vary depending on the specifications of the role. For example, for a city bus driver position, it is relevant to look for customer service skills in a CV.
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