Trainee Bus Driver

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.

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.

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

A structured, supportive learning environment

£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:

Hours worked after 9pm

Hours beyond your regular shifts

• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
• Free travel on the TfL network for you and one household nominee
• 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

• 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

• 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

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.