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Applying to become a London bus driver

Who's hiring, where the depots are, and what to expect from medicals, interviews and driving assessments.

How recruitment works

Recruitment for London bus drivers is carried out directly by individual bus operators (we've listed them below). While processes differ slightly, the core requirements and assessments are broadly similar across the industry.

Operators, recruitment portals & depots

Find the garages nearest to you. Search by area, depot name or postcode, then apply through the operator's own recruitment portal.

71 depots

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Stagecoach London13 depots

Stagecoach London recruitment portal →

Go-Ahead London16 depots

Go-Ahead London recruitment portal →

Metroline11 depots

Metroline recruitment portal →

  • BrentfordArmchair House, Commerce Road, Brentford, London, TW8 8LZ
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  • CricklewoodEdgware Road, Cricklewood, London, NW2 6JP
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  • EdgwareStation Road, Edgware, London, NW8 7AN
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  • GreenfordGreenford Road, Greenford, Ealing, London, UB6 9AP
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  • Harrow WealdHigh Road, Harrow Weald, Harrow, London, HA3 6EJ
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  • Holloway37A Pemberton Gardens, Holloway, Islington, London, N19 5RR
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  • PerivaleUnit 12, Perivale Park, Horsenden Lane South, Perivale, Ealing, London, UB6 7RL
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  • Potters BarHigh Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 5BL
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  • UxbridgeBakers Court, Bakers Road, Uxbridge, Hillingdon, London, UB8 1RG
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  • WillesdenHigh Road, Willesden, Brent, London, N22 8HX
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  • Willesden Junction46 Station Road, Harlesden, London, NW10 4XB
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First Bus London10 depots

First Bus London recruitment portal →

  • EdgwareApproach Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7AN
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  • FulwellWellington Road, Fulwell, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5NX
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  • Harrow333 Pinner Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HJ
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  • HounslowKingsley Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1PA
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  • Hounslow HeathUnit C1, Tamian Way, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6BL
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  • Park RoyalUnits 1, 2 & 6 Atlas House, Atlas Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 6DN
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  • Shepherds BushWells Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 8DA
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  • Stamford Brook72 Chiswick High Road, Stamford Brook, London, W4 1SY
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  • TolworthKingston Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 9NU
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  • Westbourne ParkGreat Western Road, Westbourne Park, London, W9 3NW
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Arriva London14 depots

Arriva London recruitment portal →

Transport UK London Bus6 depots

Transport UK London Bus recruitment portal →

  • Armstrong Way40 Great Western Industrial Park, Armstrong Way, Southall, London, UB2 4SD
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  • BatterseaSilverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE
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  • Beddington CrossUnit 10, Beddington Cross, 136-138 Beddington Farm Road, Croydon, London, CR0 4XH
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  • FulwellThe Old Tram Depot, Stanley Road, Fulwell, Twickenham, London, TW2 5NP
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  • HayesDawley Road, Hayes, London, UB3 1EF
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  • Walworth301 Camberwell New Road, Walworth, London, SE5 0TF
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Uno1 depot

Uno recruitment portal →

  • HatfieldGypsy Moth Avenue, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BS
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Basic recruitment requirements

Applicants are normally required to:

  • Hold a valid UK car driving licence for at least 6 months (some operators require 2 years)
  • Meet minimum age requirements (usually aged 21, some operators allow 18)
  • Meet Group 2 medical and eyesight standards (see the GOV.UK guidelines)
  • Have a good driving history — most operators insist on no more than 6 points (some require fewer than 3)
  • Demonstrate reliability and professionalism
  • Be prepared for shift-based work

Medical requirements

All applicants must pass a Group 2 driver medical. Depending on the operator, this is carried out on the same day at the recruitment centre, or you'll be given an appointment with an external health provider. Regardless of when and where it's carried out, it will typically include:

  • Weight, height & BMI
  • Eyesight and vision testing
  • Blood pressure and general health checks
  • Disclosure of medical conditions or medications
  • Drug and alcohol testing (breath and urine samples)

Failing to meet medical standards will prevent progression.

Interviews and assessments

Recruitment often includes:

  • A competency-based interview
  • Customer service and safety questions
  • Scenario-based questions on dealing with passengers
  • Assessment of attitude and reliability

Common interview topics

  • Why you want to be a bus driver
  • Dealing with difficult customers
  • Managing stress and pressure
  • Following rules and procedures

Driving assessment

Most operators require a driving assessment. This is typically done on the same day as the interview and may involve:

  • Car licence holders: a car driving assessment — either in a car or small van
  • Learner permit or full bus licence holders: a basic bus handling assessment

Drive as if you were on your driving test. Obey speed limits, take your time while making progress, and if they give corrective instruction, demonstrate your ability to follow it. Assessors look for safety, observation, control and calm decision-making — not speed.

Training bond

Some operators will require you to sign a training bond: an agreement that, should you leave the company's service before a prescribed timeframe (typically 18–24 months), you will pay back all or part of your training costs.

The reasoning behind it is to prevent people joining a company, getting paid while training for their PCV licence, and leaving as soon as they've qualified.

Think before you sign it — are you sure you're happy to drive a bus in London for up to 2 years?

Existing bus drivers applying in London

Drivers with a "Licence for London"

Drivers already holding a full PCV licence as well as an in-date "Licence for London" can apply to have their position on the pay scale transferred to another operator, provided they have not been dismissed and are not under a disciplinary process. This allows existing bus drivers to undertake a shortened recruitment process, although they will still need to complete:

  • The company medical and interview
  • A driving assessment
  • Vehicle type and route training

Drivers without a "Licence for London"

Experienced PCV drivers from outside London can still apply as experienced PCV drivers. While prior experience helps and is in demand, London-specific training is always required — so they will be trained as new starters for iBus and customer service, and will typically start on Year 1 of the pay scale unless otherwise agreed with the company.