Coach Driver

Coach drivers are responsible for transporting thousands of passengers every day on journeys around the UK. These journeys can range from intercity travelling, to day trips and holidays.

Drivers are responsible for providing a safe and efficient service, making sure that their passengers have a comfortable journey, and that they arrive at their destinations in good time. As well as driving a coach, drivers may also be responsible for taking fares and checking tickets and for dealing with passenger enquiries. They may make announcements to passengers and may have to help with luggage and with passengers as they board and disembark.

Some coach drivers have to drive abroad, and so must be aware of the road regulations for any country in which they drive. They can also be responsible for making sure that their coach is kept clean and tidy.

Trainee drivers can earn approximately £12500 whilst they are in training, with this rising to around £15000 with experience. There are sometimes opportunities for overtime.
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Working environment

Most coach drivers work shifts or rotas covering early mornings, evenings and weekends. Full-time working hours can range from 37 to 45 a week, over five or six days. Drivers who travel abroad, or on day trips, may work long hours on a regular basis – however there are strict regulations governing how many hours a driver is allowed to be behind the wheel of their coach. Long distance coach drivers may have to spend time away from home. Drivers who work on school routes, for example, may find that they work split shifts – driving their coach in the morning and then again in the afternoon, with time off in between.

Coach drivers spend most of their working day sitting behind the wheel of their coach. They usually have to wear a uniform, which the company provides.
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Skills and interests

Coach drivers should enjoy driving and also be enthusiastic about meeting people and providing good customer service.

The most obvious skill requirement is to have a very good ability in driving. Drivers also need:
- awareness of health and safety and of safe driving techniques
- good communication skills
- an approachable manner
- to be calm
- the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
- good observation and reaction skills
- literacy and numeracy ability, especially for dealing with money/fares
- to be able to follow instructions, routes and timetables.
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Entry into the role

There are no formal academic entry requirements to become a coach driver, although employers will expect basic levels of literacy and numeracy.

Bus drivers do however need to have a PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) licence –also known as a category D licence. To train for this licence, a full UK driving licence is required. To drive for a commercial operation, coach drivers also need a PCV Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).

Drivers cannot train for the PCV licence and Driver CPC until they are 18 or older. At the age of 18, PCV drivers cannot drive all routes and must usually wait till the age of 21 to be allowed to drive on major bus or coach routes.

Many companies give entrants PCV and Driver CPC training while paying them a trainee wage. Trainees must pass a full medical test to make sure that they have good enough eyesight and are fit enough to drive a large vehicle. It is also possible to train for the licence and Driver CPC independently.

Jobs, for both trainees and drivers with licences, may be advertised in the local press, by employment agencies and on the websites of coach companies. There can be vacancies throughout the UK.
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Opportunities

After gaining a PCV licence and the Driver CPC, a driver can drive any bus or coach. They can progress to become a supervisor, service controller or inspector, manager or even a driver trainer.

Coach drivers can also study for industry related qualifications. These include:-
- Edexcel Level 2 BTEC Certificate in Transport passengers by Bus and Coach
- Level 2 NVQ in Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving (offered by City & Guilds, Edexcel and EDI)
- Level 2 NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (offered by City & Guilds, Edexcel and EDI)
- Level 2 SVQ in Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving (offered by EDI and SQA)
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Useful links

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Case Studies

BUS - driver
Watch an interview with a bus driver (links to Virtual Work Experience from Learning and Teaching Scotland).
View case study (external website)
COACH - driver
Brian, coach driver for Ellisons Travel Services, talks about his work driving for Chelsea Football Club.
Download case study document
COACH - driver
See an interview with Peter Minnette, a driver for Epsom Coaches (links to Jobs4U careers database)
View case study (external website)

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