Trainee Bus Driver

Arriva Group; Dartford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free travel on TfL network

25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Workplace pension

Arriva Village discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Monthly safety vouchers

Career progression opportunities

Supportive community

Job summary

Arriva London is looking for a Trainee Bus Driver. You will receive full, paid training at our dedicated driving school and ongoing support as you become a confident bus driver. This role supports Londoners daily, with a clear path to qualification and progression.

You’ll work full-time hours from early mornings, with rotating shifts and a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and customer service. Competitive hourly pay and excellent benefits accompany your development journey.

Qualifications

• Must have strong motivation to learn and develop as a driver.
• Reliable and punctual with a good safety mindset.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Willing to work weekends and flexible shifts.
• Politely handle passengers and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Motivation

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Customer service

Teamwork

Job description

Start Your Journey as a Trainee Bus Driver with Arriva London

No experience? No problem. All you need is the motivation to learn.

At Arriva, we believe great bus drivers aren’t born — they’re trained. If you’ve got a positive attitude, a calm approach, and the drive to learn , we’ll give you all the tools you need to succeed.

You’ll get full, paid training at our dedicated driving school and ongoing support as you become a fully qualified, confident bus driver. Whether you’re helping Londoners get to work, school, or across the city, you’ll play a key role in keeping the capital moving.

Why Choose Arriva?

As one of London’s largest and most respected bus operators, we move nearly 300 million passengers a year across more than 50 million miles. With a goal to fully electrify our fleet by 2030, we’re investing in the future — and in people just like you.

We’ll Train You

• Full Bus Driver Training – we’ll teach you everything, from the basics to the advanced

• A structured, supportive learning environment

• Ongoing development after you qualify

• All you need to bring is motivation , reliability , and a willingness to learn

Your Pay Package

• £14.80per hour while training

• £16.01 per hour once qualified , with clear milestones to reach higher pay brackets as you progress.

• Up to £20.00 per hour for overtime and unsociable hours

• Overtime paid at 1.25x for:

What You’ll Get

• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

• Free travel on the TfL network for you and one household nominee

• Workplace pension

• Access to Arriva Village – exclusive discounts and offers

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Monthly £50 safety reward vouchers for top-performing drivers

• Real career progression opportunities

• A strong sense of community and support

What You’ll Need

• Minimum age of 18 with a UK driving licence for at least 6 months.

• No more than 6 penalty points on your licence

• A friendly attitude and commitment to great customer service

• Willingness to work weekends and flexible shift patterns

• Must pass a drug and alcohol test as part of your assessment

Shift & Location Info

• Full-time: 38 hours per week

• 5 out of 7 rotating shift patterns per week.

• Morning shifts from 04:0, afternoons from 12:00, evenings from 18:00

• Schedules planned 6–8 weeks in advance

• Based at one of our many garages across London – check our careers site for openings

Get Behind the Wheel of Your New Career

At Arriva, we value inclusion, community, and growth. We don’t just recruit drivers — we help people build careers. If you’re ready to learn, we’re ready to train you.