Key Takeaways
- Earn £14.80 per hour during paid training, rising to £18.04 per hour after 49 months' service.
- Receive fully paid PCV licence training and ongoing support.
- Work a rotating pattern of 5 days on, 2 days off, averaging 38 hours per week.
- Benefits include free travel, 25 days annual leave, and a company pension scheme.
About the Role
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. Apply today and take the first step towards becoming a qualified Bus Driver with Arriva London.