Life Of A Bus Driver In The UK

Driving a bus or coach for a living is fantastically rewarding as you are helping many people on a daily basis get to their destination. Many of our customers say they enjoy the social aspect of the job as well as the responsibility that comes with it. As a bus driver, you will need to be extra careful and considerate as you are in charge of one of the biggest vehicles on the road which is full of passengers that don’t have a seatbelt. The lives of everyone on board is literally in your hands; it’s a great deal of responsibility which many people enjoy.

Below are some tips that will help things go smoother for you as a PCV / bus driver:

Social interaction:

Some people forget that there is a social aspect to driving a PCV and it is very important as it can improve the experience of the customer as well as the driver.

Tips:

• Always greet people with a smile
• Be friendly and have a positive attitude
• Be prepared that some people may need help with directions

Time management:

Often as a PCV driver you will need to follow a schedule and need to arrive at your destination at specified times, this can be particularly important on school runs or events that are time sensitive.

Tips:

• Always leave with some time to spare so you don’t have to rush.
• Check for the road traffic before you set off to avoid traffic jams
• Listen to the radio for any traffic updates and announcements that can affect your journey.

Forward Planning:

With driving such a large vehicle, there is a lot of forward planning involved when you are on the road, especially considering that your passengers will not have a seatbelt which means braking harsh can be extremely dangerous.

Tips:

• Always scan the road as far ahead as possible to be aware of any potential hazards.
• Remain a safe distance from the vehicle in front to avoid harsh braking.
• Be considerate when driving and remember that emergency manoeuvres are harder to carry out on a bus/coach and are best avoided

Your health

It is vital that you are in good health when you’re driving a PCV, not just for your safety, but for the safety of your passengers and other road users. There are a few things you can do to keep your physical and mental state in good shape which can also reduce the chances of you being involved in an accident.

Tips:

• Sleep well. Remember the quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity.
• Eat well. Your diet dictates how much energy you have. Having a balanced diet will reduce the chances of fatigue and ensure your body is getting enough nutrients
• Exercising has been proven to relieve stress and aids a good night’s sleep, as well as keeping your body fit and healthy.

Here at HGVT, we have trained hundreds of people to get their PCV/ bus driver licence and helped a lot of those people into new jobs. We offer specialised training packages that include everything you need to get started and take care of the entire process for you. Please get in touch if you have any questions or want to find out about the latest opportunities within the industry.