How long does it take to become a bus driver UK?

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.



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The average bus driver salary in the United Kingdom is £24,185 per year or £12.40 per hour. Entry level positions start at £21,498 per year while most experienced workers make up to £30,458 per year.

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Good Pay. Since the new deal that was announced in 2016, London bus drivers' starting salaries are a minimum of £23,000 per year. More experienced drivers can expect to earn more, but new starters won't earn less.

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Figures from the Department for Transport for September 2022 showed a 9.5% shortage of local bus drivers across Britain, ranging from 8% in England to 13% in Wales and 14% in Scotland.

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It's not just New York: Research in the United Kingdom has found that bus drivers report fear of physical assault as their job's biggest stressor. With good reason: In 1993, for example, more than 1,500 assaults were reported.

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Start on about £30,700 per annum rising to about £38,850 per annum depending on experience with further opportunities for overtime. If you're already a qualified PCV driver, you'll start on a higher salary that reflects your years on the road.

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High Paying Charter Bus Driver Jobs
  • Tour Bus Driver. Salary range: $36,000-$62,500 per year. ...
  • Motor Coach Operator. Salary range: $40,500-$55,500 per year. ...
  • Coach Operator. Salary range: $37,000-$54,500 per year. ...
  • Party Bus Driver. Salary range: $36,000-$53,000 per year. ...
  • Bus Operator. ...
  • Tour Driver. ...
  • Charter Driver.


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Bus drivers require soft skills to interact with the public. They also require hard skills associated with driving and operating vehicles and ensuring passenger safety. These skills may vary depending on your specific position as school bus driver , city bus driver or interstate bus driver.

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Top companies for Bus Drivers in England
  • Manley Summers Limited. 3.4 £16.46per hour. 18 reviews214 salaries reported.
  • Abellio London. 3.2 £15.73per hour. 55 reviews85 salaries reported.
  • Stagecoach. 2.7 £15.03per hour. ...
  • Preston Bus Ltd. 2.6 £13.66per hour. ...
  • National Express. 3.0 £13.61per hour. ...
  • Show more companies.


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In the U.K. London is the best by far in terms of frequency. Cardiff is a mixed bag. Cardiff Bus doesn't give change but at least you can buy a day pass using the app these days.

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On a marginal cost basis, driving is far cheaper than public transport. If you have a car, given that you have already paid, or committed to paying, the lump sum costs, it is almost always the rational thing to do to use your car.

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Pros and Cons of Being a Bus Driver
  • Pro #1: Government Benefits. Being a bus driver sometimes means you are driving for the government in some capacity. ...
  • Con #1: Stress. ...
  • Pro #2: You Are Helping Children. ...
  • Con #2: The Pay Isn't Good. ...
  • Pro #3: You Don't Have to Pay for Commercial Insurance. ...
  • Con #3: There's a Steep Learning Curve.


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Now, the UK coach market is largely divided between fully automatic fare-stage bus-style transmissions (autos) and truck-derived automated manual transmissions (AMT), with the latter being favoured by vertically integrated manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Scania and Volvo.

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Yes, in a way. It's called a DSG or twin-clutch transmission. Mechanically it is very much like a manual… except that there are two clutches, one for the odd gears and one for the evens.

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