Trainee Bus Driver

First Hampshire & Dorset Ltd; Bridport; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Mental health support

Bus pass

Free parking

Cycle to work

Holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Share purchase

Enhanced parental pay

Employee discounts

Job summary

First Bus in Bridport is seeking a Trainee Bus Driver to join our local team. If you hold a full UK driving licence, have good people skills and a positive attitude, we will provide full training to become a qualified driver.

This is a permanent, full-time role with guaranteed contracted hours and planned rotas, offering stability and opportunities for progression. You’ll operate local services across Bridport, engaging with passengers and ensuring safety, reliability and a comfortable journey.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence held for at least 6 months.
• Maximum of 6 penalty points.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Shifts include mornings, evenings and weekends, with rota in advance.

Responsibilities

• Operate local bus services in Bridport and surrounding areas.
• Ensure passenger safety and provide a safe, reliable journey.
• Adhere to rota-based schedules and maintain professional conduct.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Flexible shifts

Job description

About First Bus

Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.

Trainee Bus Driver – Bridport £14.25 per hour

We’re looking for drivers to join our team in Bridport. No previous bus driving experience is needed, if you’ve got a full UK driving licence, good people skills, and the right attitude, we’ll provide all the training and support you need to become a qualified driver. This is a permanent, full-time role with guaranteed contracted hours, planned rotas, and clear progression from day one.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll start on £14.25 per hour. This is a full time permanent role with guaranteed contracted hours and structured rotas planned in advance, giving you more stability and predictability around your working week. You’ll work a variety of shifts across mornings, evenings, and weekends, with weekday time off built into the rota and opportunities for overtime to increase earnings where available.

The Role

You’ll operate local bus services across Bridport and surrounding areas, helping passengers travel to work, education, appointments, shopping, and days out across the city. This is a customer-facing role where safety, professionalism, and reliability are key. You’ll play an important role in keeping Bridport connected while delivering a safe and comfortable journey experience for passengers. Shifts are rota-based and include early mornings, evenings, and weekends, with schedules provided in advance.

What We’re Looking For

• Full UK driving licence held for at least 6 months
• Maximum of 6 penalty points
• Minimum age of 18
• Right to work in the UK
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Flexible approach to shift work
• No PCV licence is required, full training is provided

Rewards

Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support.

• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc.
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass.
• Free onsite parking + cycle to work scheme.
• Up to 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays.
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted FirstGroup shares.
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay.

Background checks will form part of the recruitment process.

Our Culture

We are always looking for skilled and talented people to join us across our sixty plus depots from Aberdeen to Truro. It takes a dedicated team of specialists and professionals over just about every type of role you can think of to keep us on the road and creating amazing passenger journeys. We’ve embarked on a journey of major transformation – to make sure we put our people and customers first. Our people are the beating heart of First Bus. Without them, there would be no drivers to take customers to where they need to go and no engineers to keep our buses safely on the road. Our transformation programme is designed to reshape our business to meet tomorrow’s travel needs.