Trainee Bus Driver

Overview

Begin your bus driving career with Arriva at our Chester depot, where trainee opportunities are available. Our bus drivers play a vital role in connecting communities, helping children get to school and commuters get to work, while delivering excellent customer service and positively impacting local neighborhoods. As a trainee, you won't need prior bus driving experience because we provide full support and training through our Arriva Training School to help you obtain your PCV licence and start driving confidently.

Compensation

• Trainee hourly wage starts at A313.45 for the first three weeks.
• Post training, hourly rates from Monday to Saturday are A313.45 initially, increasing to A315.80 after 12 months.
• Sunday shifts pay A318.70 initially, rising to A322.00 after one year.
• Bank holiday pay starts at A319.13 and increases to A322.50 after 12 months.

Benefits

• Fully paid training including obtaining the PCV licence.
• Continuous CPC training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities for career progression into management, driver training, or expertise roles.
• Flexible rotating shifts scheduled 6-8 weeks ahead.
• Free bus travel for you and a family member or nominee.
• Access to store discounts and offers through the Arriva Village.
• Complimentary staff bus and shuttle services to and from work.
• Monthly rewards for top-performing drivers via the Mydrive app.

Work Schedule

• Five out of seven rotating shifts planned 6-8 weeks in advance to help with personal planning.
• Shift start times vary between mornings (from 04:00), afternoons (from 12:00), and evenings (from 18:00), rotating regularly.
• Fixed shifts for specific times (early, afternoon, evenings) are not offered separately.
• Overtime availability is subject to request and operational needs.

Applicant Requirements

• Minimum age of 18 years and at least one year of driving experience.
• Must hold a valid UK driving licence with no more than six penalty points.
• Ability to pass mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
• Excellent communication and customer service abilities.

Why Join Us?

Joining Arriva means becoming part of a team that values diversity and inclusion while offering ongoing support and training in a thriving work environment. Whether you have previous experience or are starting fresh, you will receive paid training, competitive pay, and be supported by a friendly team. Take the first step toward a rewarding bus driving career at our Chester location.