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Do you like the idea of travelling to new and interesting places, and meeting people from all walks of life? Perhaps you also enjoy driving long distances and feel a sense of freedom when you’re out on the road.
If so, then a role as a coach driver could be for you. Here, we’ll explain more about how to start your journey.
What do coach drivers do?
A coach driver is responsible for providing safe and reliable transportation for individuals and groups travelling long distances (possibly even abroad) – making sure they get there safely, comfortably, and on time.
Some of the typical duties and responsibilities that coach drivers might carry out day-to-day include…
- Pre-trip inspections, such as checking the tires, brakes, lights, and other key components of the vehicle.
- Driving safely and efficiently, often navigating through unfamiliar areas.
- Providing excellent customer service, which may include answering passengers’ questions and maybe even providing information about the destinations and attractions that the passengers will be visiting.
- Maintenance and cleaning – for example keeping the interior clean and free from litter and keeping oil and fuel topped up.
- Complying with safety regulations – for example, making sure that passengers wear seat belts and that there are no isle obstructions.
What skills do I need to become a coach driver?
The right person will…
- Have a valid full UK car licence
- Be polite, friendly, and helpful, with a passion to deliver great customer service
- Have good time management skills – as you’ll need to stick to a schedule and help passengers reach their destinations on time
- Be patient and adaptable – to help you handle unexpected situations such as traffic congestion, road closures, and passenger delays.
What will I love about being a coach driver?
- Meeting lots of different types of people on their journeys, and hearing about places they’ve been or are going to.
- Visiting new and interesting places.
- It’s varied – you could be doing anything from driving school children and teachers to and from trips to doing tour work abroad.
- Being on the open road can offer a sense of freedom.
What are the challenges of being a coach driver?
- Long hours concentrating on the road ahead can be tiring. However, coach drivers are required by law to take at least a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving.
- Traffic, road closures, and the general frustrations that can come with being on the road.
- As with any customer-facing job, coach drivers may encounter difficult people from time to time.
How much will I earn as a coach driver?
The national average salary for a coach driver ranges from £18,000 for a trainee driver to £34,000 depending on experience. You may also be able to earn more by doing overtime.
Coach drivers may also be offered discounts on coach travel for themselves and their families.
Are there opportunities to progress?
Coach drivers can progress into other related roles such as driver training instructors, depot managers, and service controllers or inspectors.
Some people may also decide to set up their own businesses. To do this, you’ll need to complete a Manager CPC in Passenger Transport. You can search for a course online or speak to your employer about training courses.
How do I get started as a coach driver?
As long as you are over 21 and hold a valid full UK driving licence, you can usually apply for a trainee role with a coach company.
As long as you have a minimum of one year’s car driving experience, most employers – such as National Express – will provide on-the-job training. This includes putting candidates through their Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driver training, which usually lasts between one and six weeks – and their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which takes 35 hours and is repeated every five years.
With National Express, your training will also cover areas such as customer service, avoidance of conflict, incident and breakdown procedures, and vehicle familiarisation. You can find out more about National Express and what they have to offer using the button below.
Or, if you want to dive straight in and apply for trainee coach driver roles…