Have you wished to be a bus driver ever since you were a small child? Do you still dream of taking charge of such a big and beautiful vehicle and driving it around town? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a childhood dream; you might be thinking of changing careers and diving into the transport industry. Whatever your reason is, you can still join the thousands of bus drivers in this industry. Although you might know this already, bus driving is a popular career – and a rewarding one, for that matter. With thousands of people depending on buses and coaches for their daily commute, bus drivers are in demand. Some bus drivers operate within cities while others drive across states and even internationally. ‘How do I become a bus driver?’ you might ask. Here is what you need to know.
Licence Requirements
Like any other HGV driver, you’ll be required to get a Driver CPC qualification. This helps ensure you are capable of driving safely in a professional capacity, and that you understand the importance of road safety. A Driver CPC qualification involves both practical and theoretical tests with lots of basic driving training. A few medical exams need to be taken too before completing the training.
Through Driver CPC, the driver gets to learn the basic principles that revolve around driving large vehicles, related safety issues, and how to meet all HGV driving regulations. This makes Driver CPC important for all HGV drivers; after this, all you’ll need is a simple top-up. However, Driver CPC only proves your competency in driving HGV vehicles, hence doesn’t make you a legal/professional HGV driver. It’s after Driver CPC that you can get the appropriate license based on the vehicle you wish to drive. If looking to drive buses, you should then go for the Cat D licence.
You’ll first need to get a Cat B licence before going for a Cat D licence. The Cat B licence allows you to drive smaller vehicles of up to eight passenger seats or 3,500KG Maximum Authorised Mass. This includes cars and small trailers. It is only after getting a Cat B licence that you can apply for the Cat D licence. With the Cat D license, you should be able to drive buses with more than eight passenger seats and tracked vehicles if you feel like it. The three licences are required for you to be a certified bus driver.
Cat D Training
Although you might know how to drive smaller vehicles, you’ll be required to take Cat D and D1 training programmes to be able to drive minibuses and busses in a professional capacity. You can only sign up for a Cat D training course after achieving the Driver CPC qualification.
What is Expected from a Cat D Training Course?
- Rules and regulations governing HGV driving
- General fixtures and maintenance of buses and HGVs
- Customer service skills
- Driver, passenger, and other road users’ safety
- Foresight and risk management
- Theory and practical driving skills – training for multi-seated and large vehicles.
Once done with the Cat D training, you will be able to drive any passenger vehicle and HGV legally. It is at this point that you can start your journey as a bus driver.
How to Train for a Cat D Licence
Whether you are a new driver or looking to train for a Cat D licence, you can sign up with us for Driver CPC courses and HGV training courses. We at Easy as HGV offer these training courses and more. You can even sign up for a crash course, especially in bus driving. At Easy as HGV, we pride ourselves on training professional drivers and can at the same time help you find your first bus driving job.
