How to become a Bus Driver
Bus drivers transport passengers over established or special routes and on chartered journeys or tours.
Personal requirements for a Bus Driver
- Courteous and helpful when dealing with the public
- Able to pass a company or government medical examination, including eyesight and colour vision tests
- Responsible attitude
Education & Training for a Bus Driver
You can work as a bus driver without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. You will probably get some informal training on the job. To become a bus driver, you need to obtain the appropriate drivers licence and any special accreditation required by your state or territory. You may also need to undergo medical and eyesight tests, provide a current National Police Certificate, complete additional training, supply character references and have a satisfactory driving record. Contact the transport department in your state or territory for more information. You can also become a bus driver through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Bus Driver
Bus drivers:
- Stop at designated locations to pick up or set down passengers
- Adhere to set bus timetables and routes
- Open and close doors before and after passengers board or disembark
- Control lighting, heating and ventilation on buses
- Collect fares, give change and issue tickets
- Advise passengers on destinations
- Use a public address (PA) system to provide information or tour commentaries to passengers.
Tasks
- Issues tickets and provides change or discounted tickets based on concession identification provided by passengers.
- Checks time and adheres to timetables.
- May advise passengers on destinations.
- Stops at stations and set locations to pick up and set down passengers.
- Opens and closes doors before and after passengers board or disembark.
- Observes signals, road conditions, nearby traffic and prescribed speeds to ensure safety.
- Monitors indicator gauges and reports on operating irregularities of the vehicle.
- Checks pre-paid tickets and relevant forms of concession identification.
- Assists passengers with mobility issues to board or exit the bus.
- Maintains conduct of passengers.
Working conditions for a Bus Driver
Bus drivers are required to wear uniforms and must be willing to work shifts. Contact with the public is an important part of the job.
Employment Opportunities for a Bus Driver
Bus drivers are employed by scheduled bus, charter and coach services. The majority of work is full time, with some casual and part-time employment and shiftwork also available. With experience, and sometimes further training, there may be opportunities for bus drivers to move into supervisory or higher administrative positions.
Specializations
Tram Driver
A tram driver drives trams over established routes to transport passengers on urban tramway systems. Their tasks may include operating controls to change the direction of a tram, negotiating traffic, advising passengers on routes and stops, and stopping at set locations to allow passengers to board and disembark.
Coach Tour Driver
A coach tour driver drives tour buses to tourist sites or provides long-distance services between towns. Their tasks may include researching routes; planning food and toilet stops; providing commentary on the history, culture and industry of particular locations; conducting inspections; and performing minor maintenance of the coach.
Charter Services Driver
A charter services driver drives a group of people (for example, a community club) to a particular destination. The bus is usually hired for a fee and individual passengers do not pay fares to the driver.
School Services Driver
A school services driver transports school children between home and school, collects fares and checks that travel passes comply with school routes. School services drivers may be required to pass a national Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment.
Bus Driver
Bus drivers transport passengers over established or special routes and on chartered journeys or tours.
Average age
55 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
13% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,397
Skill level rating
Lower skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
60% Full-Time
Employment Size
33,000 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 2.0%
NSW: 35.3%
NT: 1.6%
QLD: 20.1%
SA: 6.8%
TAS: 2.4%
VIC: 19.9%
WA: 11.8%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 0.4%
25-34: 7.3%
35-44: 13.9%
45-54: 25.7%
55-59: 17.6%
60-64: 17.7%
65 and Over: 17.3%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 10.3%
Bachelor degree: 8.1%
Certificate III/IV: 28%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 2.9%
Year 10 and below: 27.4%
Year 11: 6.2%
Year 12: 17.3%
