Trainee Bus Driver – Stockton-on-Tees

About the role

Join Arriva’s Stockton depot as a Trainee Bus Driver and start a rewarding career delivering essential transport services to your local community. You will receive full paid training, earn a PCV licence, and work alongside experienced mentors on a rotating shift pattern.

Key responsibilities

• Operate buses safely on assigned routes, transporting passengers to work, school, and leisure destinations.
• Provide courteous customer service, assisting passengers with enquiries and ticketing.
• Follow timetables and route plans while adhering to health, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Complete daily vehicle checks and report any defects or incidents.
• Participate in ongoing CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training and performance reviews.

Required profile

• Minimum age of 18 years.
• At least six months of prior driving experience.
• Valid UK driving licence with no more than six penalty points.
• Ability to pass drug and alcohol testing and an English comprehension assessment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility to work shifts from 04:00 to 01:00.

Required skills

• PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence – obtained through Arriva training.
• Valid UK driving licence.
• English reading and comprehension proficiency.

What we offer

• Full paid training (approximately 4 weeks) at Arriva Training School, plus mentor support.
• Competitive hourly rates (£13.70‑£16.30) with higher weekend rates and a £40 Bank Holiday bonus per shift.
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 days with service), onsite gym, and employee app rewards.
• Clear career progression into management, specialist driver roles, or training positions.
• Inclusive, diverse workplace focused on community service.