Trainee Bus Driver

Arriva UK Bus Ltd; Chester; On-site; GBP 17,908 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free staff bus and shuttle services

Staff travel discounts

Monthly driver rewards (Mydrive)

Job summary

Arriva UK Bus Ltd is recruiting for trainee bus drivers at our Chester depot. You will receive full CPC training through the Arriva Training School and progress to driving roles.

The position includes flexible, rotating shifts planned in advance, with opportunities for career progression into management or specialist driver tracks. Initial training is provided, with paid hours during the trainee period and ongoing CPC training for all drivers.

Qualifications

• Be over 18 years old with at least 12 months of driving experience.
• Hold a valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points.
• Pass a drug and alcohol test.
• Great customer service and communication skills.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Driving experience

PCV licence (or driving licence)

Job description

Start Your Bus Driving Career with Arriva at our Chester depot– Trainee Opportunities Available!

At Arriva, our Bus Drivers are at the heart of the communities we serve. Whether it’s getting children to school or commuters to work, you’ll connect our customers to what matters to them, providing excellent customer service and making a real difference in communities. We’re one team, moving forwards together to make travelling by bus the best choice for our customers.

Don’t worry if you’ve never driven a bus before, we’ll be with you every step of the way to get you started. With the help of our experienced team and our Arriva Training School, you’ll have all the tools you need for full CPC training, so you’ll be behind the wheel in no time.

We do the right thing at Arriva, that’s why you’ll be earning an hourly rate of £13.45 for trainees for 12 months which rises to £15.80 after 12 months.

Pay Rates

• Trainee Drivers: £13.45 per hour (first 3 weeks)

Post-training (Trainees)

• Monday to Saturday: £13.45/hr (rising to £15.80 after 12 months)
• Sunday: £18.70 (rising to £22.00 after 12 months)
• Bank Holidays: £19.13/hr (rising to £22.50 after 12 months)

What’s in It for You?

• Full paid training, including obtaining your PCV licence through our Arriva Training School.
• Ongoing CPC training for all drivers and professional development opportunities.
• Career progression into management, support training, or becoming an expert driver.
• Flexible and rotating shifts planned 6-8 weeks in advance.
• Free bus travel for you and your family (or a nominee).
• Access to the Arriva Village for store discounts and offers.
• Free staff bus and shuttle services to and from work.
• Monthly rewards through the Mydrive app for top-performing drivers.

Shift Patterns

• 5 out of 7 rotating shift patterns, planned up to 6-8 weeks in advance so you can plan around shifts.
• Mornings starting from 04:00, Afternoons start from 12:00 and Evenings from 18:00 on a rotational basis.
• We cannot offer fixed early, afternoon or evenings separately.
• Overtime available at request / availability.

Requirements

• Be over 18 years old with at least 12 months of driving experience.
• Hold a valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points.
• Pass a drug and alcohol test.
• Great customer service and communication skills.

Why Join Arriva?

At Arriva, we’re not just connecting passengers; we’re creating a community that values inclusion and diversity. Whether you’re an experienced driver or starting your journey as a trainee, you’ll enjoy paid training, enhanced pay rates, and a supportive team environment where you can thrive.

Take the wheel of your future—apply today and become part of the Arriva family at our Chester depot!