Bus Driver

Tasks & duties

Bus drivers may do some or all of the following:

• drive buses
• collect fares from passengers and give them tickets and change
• keep a record of tickets issued
• control lighting, heating and ventilation in the bus
• give passengers information on routes, fares and timetables
• check the bus for lost property at the end of each trip
• keep a logbook
• clean the bus at the end of a run

Urban, school and long-distance bus drivers all drive according to a set route and timetable. Charter bus drivers carry out one-off trips such as corporate functions or trips to sporting events.

Specialisations

Bus drivers may specialise in driving school bus, long distance or urban routes.

Skills & knowledge

Bus drivers need to have:

• excellent driving skills, including defensive-driving techniques
• knowledge of the Road Code and transport regulations
• good communication and people skills
• knowledge of the area they work in, the correct bus routes to take and the correct fares for each journey
• maths skills to work out fares and change
• map-reading skills
• the ability to operate Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology, and multi-function ticketing systems

Entry requirements

To become a bus driver you need to have held a Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver licence for two years.
 

You also need to have a 'P' (Passenger) endorsement on your licence, which shows you can carry passengers.  This involves:

• passing a medical exam
• passing a course that shows you understand the law relating to passenger drivers
• a background check, which includes a police check

The P endorsement must be renewed regularly.

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary educational requirements for bus drivers, but English and maths are useful.

Tertiary education

Some employers may require their drivers to have completed the National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport before they can work.

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job and some companies may provide training programmes.

Useful experience

Useful experience for bus drivers includes:

• work as a driving instructor
• work as a truck or taxi driver
• any work with the public

For more information, please refer to Career Services.