My journey was quite similar to yours. I was also a delivery driver, for 2 years, but for Ocado. I did my multiple choice and case studies test in about 20 mins and was booked in for my practical test after about a week and a half of driving as i picked it up quite quickly. As you say, the driving part is actually easy (obviously depending on the person) as it is just about knowing the size of the vehicle and using your mirrors properly. The part i was more worried about was the theory stuff as i’m already a confident driver which is why i started revising as soon as i passed the interview, so i had a good 4/5 weeks of revision. It was very obvious which trainees had been revising and who hadn’t. I started with 3 guys who only started revising on our first week and they failed 2 out of 3 of their tests. However for myself and 3 other ladies who also started revising way before our first week, we all got 95/100 and above for our theory. But yeah, i passed last monday and i’ve done all of my ticket training etc. and i’m now doing route learning this week. I watched this vid many times before i started 😂 and it is very accurate in terms of the process of it all. Only difference now is that once you pass, they now make you drive a bus with the long arm near side mirror for an hour (or a whole day if you’re going to rainham like me) due to the rising number of people having accidents with them. Great video 👍🏾
Glad to hear you passed mate🎉 and yeah everyone takes that mirror out you’re not a true bus driver till you’ve taken it out you’ll get used to that mirror tho
@@TaylorStraub Thanks 🙌🏾 yeah i’ve heard it’s inevitable 😂 luckily i’ve got quite a low risk route which they said i’ll probably stay on when i get put on rota
I am just starting from 1st of aughest I am jsut nurvouse. where would I go for the theory test? and within how many days? is it gonna be comlicated as I am using a PCV app to prepare.
Great video! I do rather prefer the first generation Enviro 400s, there's just something about them. Then again, I like Enviro 400s regardless. Thanks for the video!
I’m so excited to follow your journey and share my own! My moms been a bus driver for over 10 years and she inspired me to become one. First day of training is Jan 10 2022! Thank you for so much insight
Thank you for the video! I’m waiting on my License coming back from the DVLA with my Category D & D1 Provisional Entitlements on it and then I’m ready for my Theory Test 🥳 starting with First Bus in Glasgow and it sounds like a really exciting adventure.
Very good video. Confidence is key but not to be over confident. I don’t think you can use the Blackwall tunnel north bound in a double decker (I might be wrong) that’s why they use Tower Bridge.
Hey mate, just found ur channel, loving the vlogs, I've applied for trainee driver and waiting to hear back, you share some really helpful and useful info, so thanks! Do you know, are all the stagecoach service busses automatic? I'm really hoping they are! Cheers mate. 😊
Got my interview and looking the , where the buses are and where we dock ( forgot what it’s called . Please tell me more about the written test English and math plz , and it seems like u spent a long time not ‘working’ do they pay ? When do u start getting paid ? And more importantly what’s the wages like ? Il be driving in Cambridge . And lastly please can u just give me a schedule that u have as an example ? Like what’s shift u have for next few weeks or so ? Like u work weekends ? Thank you and look forward
By what you just said I know your instructor was either Alex or Chris. 🤣🤣 Both are legends I had them both for a few days before they gave me a PD instructor as that was gonna be my home garage at the time
@@TaylorStraub did he teach you that famous phrase When it’s tight, keep to the right? 🤣🤣 Awesome guy really. One of the best mentors out there. Even though I work for Go-Ahead now, when I see Any of these mentors, I stop to have a quick chat with them. ☝🏾👍🏾🤣
@@ManlykefreshINC Yeah he did😂 and I'm the same whenever they stop at Plumstead for their break I always go over and chat with them they're all a great bunch of people
Am in the same position atm am currently a delivery driver but I’ve already got my provisional cat D soo am going to be applying for National Express in June
Hi Taylor I'm changing my career in the NHS to train with stagecoach in Gloucester. Just wanted to know whether you get sick pay, and holiday allowance, and also what shifts are like and breaks. Many thanks Andrew
Hello there, yes you do get sick pay I believe for the first couple of years of service you only get statutory sick pay then I believe you get the option to go onto company sick pay. You start off with 20 days holiday per year (1 week winter, 2 weeks summer and 1 week autumn). If you go a year with no blameworthy accidents you can get more days added to your holiday package. You do 3 types of shifts: Early, Middle and Late. It all depends on the garage you go to and the hours they operate from. You are legally entitled to 40 minutes break but it all depends on the duty you are doing that day could be an hour or even longer than that. I have a duty coming up where I get a 2hr 30min break. I hope I helped in any way. Many thanks
Great vid! Question, on your training days, do you do your training on Saturdays + Sundays as well? or only Monday to Friday? Also, since you've now passed, can you now travel in the Tube free of charge? Hoping to hear to you soon mate.. Cheers
Thank you for your vid, really informative! I have just applied for an apprenticeship as a bus driver and today invited to an interview next week! Face to face interview & then maths & English assessment! I am nervous but excited! I wear glasses for normal car driving so I hope I pass the eyesight medical for the bus driver test! I hope they’re not looking for an eyesight that’s equivalent to a jet fighter pilot’s eyesight strength which is 10/10 in both eyes 👀. Any thing I need to know before the interview? Any suggestions will be helpful.
Good luck to you! There's not anything you should be aware of it's just a standard interview they'll ask you questions based on some of the key attributes of the job and you just have to answer the best you can
@@TaylorStraub Thank you for your reply. I have been offered the apprenticeship & doing medical in 2 weeks from now! I am still worried about my eye test bit! I do wear prescription glasses and ok for driving normal cars (full uk driving licence). I have been driving for over 30 years with 0 points or disqualifications Do you think I should have an eyesight test at my local optician before the medical to make sure or just wait for the medical as they are going to test my eyesight anyway? Any advice would very much appreciated. Thank you
What kind of training do the driver's have for assisting people with physics disabilities, older people and mum's and dad's with young children are the driver taught to access what help is needed like when to use the ramp or lower the floor
We have training dedicated for people with accessibility and disability needs and how to help these individuals get to their destinations safely and comfortably
For me it was Monday to Friday and yes you can do part time it all depends if there are part time positions available at the company you have applied for. Also I apologise for the late reply to this comment.
Hello my name is James and I could use some solid advice.. So I’ve been given the job at stage coach based in wales where I live I passed my medical Tuesday just gone and I have to send everything off to the DVLA.. Now what my massive concern is are they theory hazards and the driving test it’s self because if you fail twice on the theory or the test you don’t get the job.. what can I do to pass with flying colours I’m revising and I can’t seem to pass on the app.. I’m like really nervous because I really do want this job because I’m so excited to have it if you could get back to me that would be great
I'm gonna get on your your bus mate. I ain't gonna tap the oyster mate. Gonna walk past you mate. Press the buzzer 100 times mate. Gonna drive the bus myself mate.
Normally you don't stay on one route for too long but since everything is going back to full service there's a lot of drivers to put onto route learning so there's just a long list of people to get through
How the hell did you manage so the company only trained you in only one route???. Please tell me the secret hahaha. When I first started, my route learning was in 4 routes, hopefully now in my new company they will show me only one. Less stress. And by the way, your story is the same as mine, passed my car license and then I started as a delivery driver in Ocado for one year, then I moved to bus driver Nice video :)
The only reason why I am still on one route is because there is a huge backlog of drivers who are due to go onto route learning because everything is going back into full service it has become difficult to get drivers through route learning so for me it is just a case of waiting till it's my turn
@@MadKnightYT Yeah as soon as I get onto a rota (preferably the 96 or 422) I'm just sticking to that one route I prefer to be able to master the route before moving onto another one if that makes sense so especially if people ask me questions on where they are trying to get to I know what the hell i'm talking about lol and like you said less stress
@@TaylorStraub Exactly, when I was on those 3 different routes and somebody asked me something about them, I couldn't answer, because I had no idea, the instructors show you the route and you follow it, but you have no clue of where you are hahaha. Stay in one route and learn it inside out with all the important landmarks and you will be fine :)
Did u have to send in a D2 form as well?? Ive got my medical coming up and only been supplied with a D4 form Will the medical doctor provide me with a d2?? What was your experince??
It depends how quick you are at learning and how good your memory is because for me it only took me 1-2 hours to learn a route but it may take you a week it all depends on how quickly you are able to ingest information
can i just check something, ive seen all over the place about £28k starting rate, but is that from when they offer you a job or after training ?? if its after you pass all your Pcv and stuff what do they pay please? just wondering if its like a living wage or something
@@TaylorStraub wicked thanks. I'm just waiting on my licence to be done and training will start soon hopefully.. are you still at Plumstead garage?? If so I might be seeing u around soon... hopefully if training goes well
do you think becoming a bus driver is worth it because I have been considering it... how many hours per day and how many days a week do you work or is it varied? 😁
For me personally the good things about the job far outweigh the bad I love driving and I love buses it's the perfect combination when it comes to hours the max amount of driving in one day is normally 9 hours they don't tend to try and push towards the legal limit of 10 but the shift length can vary you could be doing 10 hour days on another 7 hours it depends on the duty you get in terms of hours per week I'm on a 38 hour guaranteed contract
Hi I’ve wanted to be a bus driver since I was about 2 years old I recently applied for bus training at plumstead garage. And I got a email saying I will get invite to the garage in the next few days is this what happened to you?
im ur 300th sub
Thank you so much for subscribing! Welcome!
@@TaylorStraub do you know @That Bus Driver Guy?
I'm away to start my training next week with stagecoach in Scotland, your videos have inspired me, thank you man x
This just inspired me more to become a bus driver love this video keep up the hard work !
My journey was quite similar to yours. I was also a delivery driver, for 2 years, but for Ocado. I did my multiple choice and case studies test in about 20 mins and was booked in for my practical test after about a week and a half of driving as i picked it up quite quickly.
As you say, the driving part is actually easy (obviously depending on the person) as it is just about knowing the size of the vehicle and using your mirrors properly.
The part i was more worried about was the theory stuff as i’m already a confident driver which is why i started revising as soon as i passed the interview, so i had a good 4/5 weeks of revision.
It was very obvious which trainees had been revising and who hadn’t. I started with 3 guys who only started revising on our first week and they failed 2 out of 3 of their tests. However for myself and 3 other ladies who also started revising way before our first week, we all got 95/100 and above for our theory.
But yeah, i passed last monday and i’ve done all of my ticket training etc. and i’m now doing route learning this week.
I watched this vid many times before i started 😂 and it is very accurate in terms of the process of it all. Only difference now is that once you pass, they now make you drive a bus with the long arm near side mirror for an hour (or a whole day if you’re going to rainham like me) due to the rising number of people having accidents with them.
Great video 👍🏾
Glad to hear you passed mate🎉 and yeah everyone takes that mirror out you’re not a true bus driver till you’ve taken it out you’ll get used to that mirror tho
@@TaylorStraub Thanks 🙌🏾 yeah i’ve heard it’s inevitable 😂 luckily i’ve got quite a low risk route which they said i’ll probably stay on when i get put on rota
I am just starting from 1st of aughest I am jsut nurvouse. where would I go for the theory test? and within how many days? is it gonna be comlicated as I am using a PCV app to prepare.
Nice video! It sounds very fun when you get into the training part of becoming a driver.
I’ve been offered a conditional job offer based off of passing the test, looking forward to it :)
If i could get a cheeky duty 7 til 3 id go back in a heart beat!
I'm only twelve I love what you said I want to be a bus driver for Stockport bus depot, Hyde road, sharston , Ashton, Clayton little gem
Great video! I do rather prefer the first generation Enviro 400s, there's just something about them. Then again, I like Enviro 400s regardless. Thanks for the video!
I’m so excited to follow your journey and share my own! My moms been a bus driver for over 10 years and she inspired me to become one. First day of training is Jan 10 2022! Thank you for so much insight
Good luck!
Thank you for the video! I’m waiting on my License coming back from the DVLA with my Category D & D1 Provisional Entitlements on it and then I’m ready for my Theory Test 🥳 starting with First Bus in Glasgow and it sounds like a really exciting adventure.
Good luck to you my friend!
Thank you very much for your video you're a very smart young man great job on your video great time on your bus trips thanks again
Very good video. Confidence is key but not to be over confident. I don’t think you can use the Blackwall tunnel north bound in a double decker (I might be wrong) that’s why they use Tower Bridge.
We trained in a single decker we just purposely went the longer way just to waste time
@@TaylorStraub oh ok. I remember I came back from Plumstead in an Enviro 400 and crossed Tower Bridge to get to West Ham.
My uncle drives the H2, in Golders Green
Love your route from Thamesmead to Peckham. Brilliant driver.
nice one mate!
Great Video! I can already imagine what happens when you officially pass. Well done!
Great video. ☺ I just subscribed to ur UA-cam channel. Ur on one of my local routes.
Hey Taylor, may I ask what sort questions were asked during the interview? Thank you
Great Video! I now know more on how to become a bus driver. Thanks!
hey taylor i love your video how are you and i love bus and you are so good and amazing love from chelsea xx😃
Your video was back to front, as the buses passing in the background were all left-hand driven.
Hey mate, just found ur channel, loving the vlogs, I've applied for trainee driver and waiting to hear back, you share some really helpful and useful info, so thanks! Do you know, are all the stagecoach service busses automatic? I'm really hoping they are!
Cheers mate. 😊
Yes buses are automatic
Got my interview and looking the , where the buses are and where we dock ( forgot what it’s called . Please tell me more about the written test English and math plz , and it seems like u spent a long time not ‘working’ do they pay ? When do u start getting paid ? And more importantly what’s the wages like ? Il be driving in Cambridge . And lastly please can u just give me a schedule that u have as an example ? Like what’s shift u have for next few weeks or so ? Like u work weekends ? Thank you and look forward
By what you just said I know your instructor was either Alex or Chris. 🤣🤣
Both are legends
I had them both for a few days before they gave me a PD instructor as that was gonna be my home garage at the time
I'm guessing you got Gary? My instructor was Bill
@@TaylorStraub yep. 🤣🤣🤣👍🏾
@@ManlykefreshINC Yeah I had Gary for one of my progress checks great bloke training was such a load of fun so many funny moments
@@TaylorStraub did he teach you that famous phrase
When it’s tight, keep to the right? 🤣🤣
Awesome guy really. One of the best mentors out there. Even though I work for Go-Ahead now, when I see Any of these mentors, I stop to have a quick chat with them. ☝🏾👍🏾🤣
@@ManlykefreshINC Yeah he did😂 and I'm the same whenever they stop at Plumstead for their break I always go over and chat with them they're all a great bunch of people
Am in the same position atm am currently a delivery driver but I’ve already got my provisional cat D soo am going to be applying for National Express in June
Good luck to you!
@@TaylorStraub thanks mate irll keep you posted 👊🏼
Why would you apply for national express? The rate is poor
@@trickifichd2939 400 a week is good money nd that’s what I want to do
@@Sonicst180 £400 after tax ? Or before ?
Hi Taylor
I'm changing my career in the NHS to train with stagecoach in Gloucester.
Just wanted to know whether you get sick pay, and holiday allowance, and also what shifts are like and breaks.
Many thanks
Andrew
Hello there, yes you do get sick pay I believe for the first couple of years of service you only get statutory sick pay then I believe you get the option to go onto company sick pay. You start off with 20 days holiday per year (1 week winter, 2 weeks summer and 1 week autumn). If you go a year with no blameworthy accidents you can get more days added to your holiday package. You do 3 types of shifts: Early, Middle and Late. It all depends on the garage you go to and the hours they operate from. You are legally entitled to 40 minutes break but it all depends on the duty you are doing that day could be an hour or even longer than that. I have a duty coming up where I get a 2hr 30min break. I hope I helped in any way. Many thanks
@@TaylorStraub thanks for the reply, really enjoy your videos! Look forward to next upload.
Such a nice bloke.
Thank you much appreciated👍🏻
Passed my mate Chris' folks place.
I done the case study in 10 minute's.
Great vid!
Question, on your training days, do you do your training on Saturdays + Sundays as well? or only Monday to Friday?
Also, since you've now passed, can you now travel in the Tube free of charge?
Hoping to hear to you soon mate..
Cheers
Monday to Friday when I did training might be different now
@@TaylorStraub cheers mate
What’s the maths and written tests like please ?
So do you have to pass the theory first and then they make you do the practical with the trainer
Thank you for your vid, really informative! I have just applied for an apprenticeship as a bus driver and today invited to an interview next week! Face to face interview & then maths & English assessment! I am nervous but excited! I wear glasses for normal car driving so I hope I pass the eyesight medical for the bus driver test! I hope they’re not looking for an eyesight that’s equivalent to a jet fighter pilot’s eyesight strength which is 10/10 in both eyes 👀. Any thing I need to know before the interview? Any suggestions will be helpful.
Good luck to you! There's not anything you should be aware of it's just a standard interview they'll ask you questions based on some of the key attributes of the job and you just have to answer the best you can
@@TaylorStraub Thank you for your reply. I have been offered the apprenticeship & doing medical in 2 weeks from now! I am still worried about my eye test bit! I do wear prescription glasses and ok for driving normal cars (full uk driving licence). I have been driving for over 30 years with 0 points or disqualifications Do you think I should have an eyesight test at my local optician before the medical to make sure or just wait for the medical as they are going to test my eyesight anyway? Any advice would very much appreciated. Thank you
**would be
@@MySmallWindow1 Congratulations! Yes they do an eyesight test when you have the medical so I would just wait for that to be honest
@@TaylorStraub thank you I think I’ll wait for the medical! Have a good day/evening!
I'm from kenya can i apply from this end?
What kind of training do the driver's have for assisting people with physics disabilities, older people and mum's and dad's with young children are the driver taught to access what help is needed like when to use the ramp or lower the floor
We have training dedicated for people with accessibility and disability needs and how to help these individuals get to their destinations safely and comfortably
Do you drive the same bus routes over and over? Where I live the drivers seems to mix and match and do all the different routes around the district.
Yes I drive the same route every day. The only time I drive a different route is when I do overtime.
Do u feel driver cab and how to use annd do you feel about driver cab use?
Peckham? I live there
For route learning are you taught every route or just a specific amount
How long did that all take
What is MDT ? How could you not drive the van for the bus company but could drive the van for the supermarket?
I have a dedicated on what the MDT is so feel free to watch that and they stopped the van test because of covid
How many days a week do you train and can you do part time?
For me it was Monday to Friday and yes you can do part time it all depends if there are part time positions available at the company you have applied for. Also I apologise for the late reply to this comment.
Hello my name is James and I could use some solid advice..
So I’ve been given the job at stage coach based in wales where I live I passed my medical Tuesday just gone and I have to send everything off to the DVLA..
Now what my massive concern is are they theory hazards and the driving test it’s self because if you fail twice on the theory or the test you don’t get the job.. what can I do to pass with flying colours I’m revising and I can’t seem to pass on the app..
I’m like really nervous because I really do want this job because I’m so excited to have it if you could get back to me that would be great
Did you pass in the end?
Hi Taylor what mount do you use when you do a POV? tia
I use the Smatree Double suction cup mount
I'm gonna get on your your bus mate. I ain't gonna tap the oyster mate. Gonna walk past you mate. Press the buzzer 100 times mate. Gonna drive the bus myself mate.
Why only 1 route ? Do you stay on that route for a certain amount of time before starting to learn more routes ?
Normally you don't stay on one route for too long but since everything is going back to full service there's a lot of drivers to put onto route learning so there's just a long list of people to get through
How the hell did you manage so the company only trained you in only one route???. Please tell me the secret hahaha.
When I first started, my route learning was in 4 routes, hopefully now in my new company they will show me only one. Less stress.
And by the way, your story is the same as mine, passed my car license and then I started as a delivery driver in Ocado for one year, then I moved to bus driver
Nice video :)
The only reason why I am still on one route is because there is a huge backlog of drivers who are due to go onto route learning because everything is going back into full service it has become difficult to get drivers through route learning so for me it is just a case of waiting till it's my turn
@@TaylorStraub In my old company I was in 3 routes and I hated it so much, for me 1 route is enough, less stress.
@@MadKnightYT Yeah as soon as I get onto a rota (preferably the 96 or 422) I'm just sticking to that one route I prefer to be able to master the route before moving onto another one if that makes sense so especially if people ask me questions on where they are trying to get to I know what the hell i'm talking about lol and like you said less stress
@@TaylorStraub Exactly, when I was on those 3 different routes and somebody asked me something about them, I couldn't answer, because I had no idea, the instructors show you the route and you follow it, but you have no clue of where you are hahaha.
Stay in one route and learn it inside out with all the important landmarks and you will be fine :)
I passed my medical a week ago now waiting for my license. At what point in traing do we start getting paid?
Did u have to send in a D2 form as well??
Ive got my medical coming up and only been supplied with a D4 form
Will the medical doctor provide me with a d2??
What was your experince??
Is the pay good?
You can see the pay on the job description on what you will be starting on I’m not comfortable discussing what I earn
How did you practice for the case studies?
We had something called theory test pro when we were preparing for the tests.
Is it still just a face to face interview?
I did have a face to face interview yes
I think I recognise you
was it hard to learn your routes and how long did it take you?
It depends how quick you are at learning and how good your memory is because for me it only took me 1-2 hours to learn a route but it may take you a week it all depends on how quickly you are able to ingest information
@@TaylorStraub Thanks for replying. also how long did you have to wait to get your license back as i’ve been waiting almost 3 weeks now
@@jamiematovu9888 2 weeks
Just wondering how old were you when you applied the first time cos I’m gonna do my driving tests
I first applied when I was 18
Nice your a PD driver I can tell straight away.
What gave it away😂🤷🏻♂️
@@TaylorStraub Lol
@@TaylorStraub Ur in peckham u work for stagecoach and the only bus that terminates at peckham is 177 which is at PD.
@@LJ07EBP Very good observations👍
@@TaylorStraub ty lol
can i just check something, ive seen all over the place about £28k starting rate, but is that from when they offer you a job or after training ?? if its after you pass all your Pcv and stuff what do they pay please? just wondering if its like a living wage or something
Typically 28k is the starting rate after you pass your test.
@@TaylorStraub wicked thanks. I'm just waiting on my licence to be done and training will start soon hopefully.. are you still at Plumstead garage?? If so I might be seeing u around soon... hopefully if training goes well
Yes I’m still at Plumstead.
do you think becoming a bus driver is worth it because I have been considering it...
how many hours per day and how many days a week do you work or is it varied?
😁
For me personally the good things about the job far outweigh the bad I love driving and I love buses it's the perfect combination when it comes to hours the max amount of driving in one day is normally 9 hours they don't tend to try and push towards the legal limit of 10 but the shift length can vary you could be doing 10 hour days on another 7 hours it depends on the duty you get in terms of hours per week I'm on a 38 hour guaranteed contract
@@TaylorStraub thanks really means a lot 🙃
Do you need any GCSE's for bus driver?
Ideally you need to pass at least maths and English
Is it stressful im thinking of doing it since i cant get any retail jobs
It's only stressful if you make it stressful it's a great job to do
What do u need for interview?
Passport, National insurance, driving license that's pretty much all you need but they'll tell you everything you need in an email
What did you wear for the interview
@@HACKERHITMARKER333 Smart clothes
What age did you become a Driver
I became a driver at 20 years old
HOW LONG STAGECOACH FOR
Since November
@@TaylorStraub THAT COOL
Have you got a Fan Email Address?
Unfortunately not
Have you got an Email as I want to ask you something please Buddy
Can u become a bus driver with automatic only license?
Hi I’ve wanted to be a bus driver since I was about 2 years old I recently applied for bus training at plumstead garage. And I got a email saying I will get invite to the garage in the next few days is this what happened to you?
Also what garage did you apply for?
I work at plumstead and you have an interview at west ham or a telephone interview it depends
@@TaylorStraub oh okay thanks. Hopefully see you around then
@@TaylorStraub when you applied did you have to do a online assessment and then they come back saying you passed and will be invited to the garage?