Trainee Bus Driver

Arriva; Grays; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free travel for you and one household

25 days annual leave

Company pension

Cycle to Work

Road Safety Reward Scheme

Ongoing CPC training

Career progression

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Arriva London is hiring Trainee Bus Drivers with no prior experience. You will receive fully paid training at our driving school and ongoing support from instructors as you become a qualified Bus Driver.

From day one you’ll help thousands travel to work, school and appointments, building a secure, long-term career with excellent benefits and progression into leadership roles.

Qualifications

• No experience required; training provided.
• Willingness to learn and commitment to training.
• Flexible with shifts, including weekends.
• Able to pass drug and alcohol screening.

Responsibilities

• Complete fully paid training at our driving school.
• Help thousands get to work, school, hospital appointments and more.
• Provide safe, reliable passenger service with a customer-focused approach.
• Operate a rotating 5 days on, 2 days off pattern with clear planning.

Skills

Positive attitude

Customer service

Willingness to learn

Teamwork

Job description

Trainee Bus Driver

No Experience Needed – Full Paid Training Provided

Start Your Journey with Arriva London

Looking for a career change? Want a stable job with great benefits and real career progression?

At Arriva London, we believe great bus drivers are made, not born. If you've got a positive attitude, enjoy working with people and are willing to learn, we'll give you everything you need to become a qualified Bus Driver.

From day one, you'll receive fully paid training at our dedicated driving school, expert support from experienced instructors, and ongoing development once you're out on the road.

Every day you'll help thousands of people get where they need to be—whether that's work, school, hospital appointments or seeing loved ones. You'll be making a real difference while building a secure, long-term career.

Why Choose Arriva London?

As one of London's largest and most respected bus operators, we transport nearly 300 million passengers every year and cover more than 50 million miles across the capital.

We're also investing in the future, with a commitment to operate a fully electric fleet by 2030. Join us and be part of the next generation of public transport.

We'll Train You

You don't need previous bus driving experience—we'll teach you everything.

Your training includes:

• Fully paid PCV licence training
• Expert tuition at our dedicated driving school
• A structured and supportive learning programme
• Ongoing coaching and development after you qualify
• Support from experienced colleagues every step of the way

All you need is the motivation to learn, a positive attitude and the commitment to provide excellent customer service.

Pay & Progression

Your salary grows as your experience does.

• £14.80 per hour during training
• £16.91 per hour once qualified (up to 2 years' service)
• £17.64 per hour after 25–48 months' service
• £18.04 per hour after 49 months' service

You'll also have the opportunity to earn up to £20.00 per hour through overtime and unsociable hours payments.

Benefits

When you join Arriva, you'll enjoy a great range of benefits, including:

• Free travel on TfL and Arriva bus services for you and one nominated household member
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Access to Arriva Village with exclusive discounts and offers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Road Safety Reward Scheme – earn £50 vouchers for safe, high-performance driving
• Ongoing CPC training
• Career progression into Training, Operations, Engineering and Management
• A supportive team environment where you'll be valued from day one

Working Pattern

You'll work a rotating pattern of 5 days on, 2 days off, averaging 38 hours per week.

Shifts are planned 6–8 weeks in advance, giving you plenty of notice to organise your personal life.

Typical shift start times include:

• Mornings from 4:00am
• Afternoons from 12:00pm
• Evenings from 6:00pm

Overtime opportunities are available depending on business needs.

Please note: Fixed shifts (such as permanent mornings or evenings) are not available.

What You'll Need

To apply you'll need:

• To be 18 years of age or over
• A full UK driving licence held for at least 6 months
• No more than 6 penalty points
• A positive attitude and excellent customer service skills
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including weekends
• To successfully pass a drug and alcohol screening as part of the recruitment process

A Career That Goes Further

Many of our managers, instructors and operational leaders started their careers as Trainee Bus Drivers.

Whether you're looking for a fresh start, long-term job security or the chance to build a rewarding career, Arriva gives you the training and support to succeed.