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
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Full Bus Driver Training – we’ll teach you everything, from the basics to the advanced
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A structured, supportive learning environment
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Ongoing development after you qualify
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All you need to bring is motivation , reliability , and a willingness to learn
Your Pay Package
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£14.80per hour while training
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£16.01 per hour once qualified , with clear milestones to reach higher pay brackets as you progress.
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Up to £20.00 per hour for overtime and unsociable hours
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Overtime paid at 1.25x for:
What You’ll Get
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25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
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Free travel on the TfL network for you and one household nominee
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Workplace pension
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Access to Arriva Village – exclusive discounts and offers
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Cycle to Work Scheme
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Monthly £50 safety reward vouchers for top-performing drivers
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Real career progression opportunities
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A strong sense of community and support
What You’ll Need
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Minimum age of 18 with a UK driving licence for at least 6 months.
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No more than 6 penalty points on your licence
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A friendly attitude and commitment to great customer service
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Willingness to work weekends and flexible shift patterns
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Must pass a drug and alcohol test as part of your assessment
Shift & Location Info
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Full-time: 38 hours per week
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5 out of 7 rotating shift patterns per week.
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Morning shifts from 04:0, afternoons from 12:00, evenings from 18:00
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Schedules planned 6–8 weeks in advance
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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.
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Trainee Bus Driver in Dartford employer: Arriva Group
Arriva Road Transport Services is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in York or Derby with the flexibility of hybrid working. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, free travel on Arriva services after six months, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where every team member can thrive and grow professionally.