Trainee Bus Driver

Arriva London North Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Free TfL travel for you and one loved‑

Job summary

Arriva London North Limited seeks motivated individuals to start a career as Trainee Bus Drivers in London. No prior experience required; full paid training at our driving school and ongoing support will help you become a confident driver dedicated to serving Londoners.

You’ll contribute to passenger safety and reliability while learning, with structured development and clear milestones as you progress toward full qualification.

Qualifications

• No experience required; training provided, with full paid training at our driving school (learn on the job).
• Structured, supportive learning environment with ongoing development after qualification.
• Must pass a drug and alcohol test as part of the assessment.

Responsibilities

• Operate buses to transport passengers safely and on time.
• Maintain high standards of customer service and safety.
• Follow schedules, routes, and traffic regulations while on duty.

Skills

Motivation to learn

Positive attitude

Reliability

Customer service

Willingness to work weekends

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

• £14.80 per 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: Hours worked after 9pm
• Overtime paid at 1.25x for: Weekends
• Overtime paid at 1.25x for: Hours beyond your regular shifts

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 04:00, 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.

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.