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
1. Full Bus Driver Training – we’ll teach you everything, from the basics to the advanced
2. A structured, supportive learning environment
3. Ongoing development after you qualify
4. All you need to bring is motivation, reliability, and a willingness to learn
Your Pay Package
5. £14.80 per hour while training
6. £16.01 per hour once qualified, with clear milestones to reach higher pay brackets as you progress.
7. Overtime paid at 1.25x for:
Hours worked after 9pm
Weekends
Hours beyond your regular shifts
What You’ll Get
8. 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
9. Free travel on the TfL network for you and one household nominee
10. Workplace pension
11. Access to Arriva Village – exclusive discounts and offers
12. Cycle to Work Scheme
13. Monthly £50 safety reward vouchers for top-performing drivers
14. Real career progression opportunities
15. A strong sense of community and support
What You’ll Need
16. Minimum age of 18 with a UK driving licence for at least 6 months.
17. No more than 6 penalty points on your licence
18. A friendly attitude and commitment to great customer service
19. Willingness to work weekends and flexible shift patterns
20. Must pass a drug and alcohol test as part of your assessment
Shift & Location Info
21. Full-time: 38 hours per week
22. 5 out of 7 rotating shift patterns per week.
23. Morning shifts from 04:00, afternoons from 12:00, evenings from 18:00
24. Schedules planned 6–8 weeks in advance
25. 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.
Apply today and take the first step toward becoming a qualified Bus Driver with Arriva London.