This is a question we get asked so much regarding what to expect in an interview to become a bus driver. So we decided we will answer it here.
Once you got our interview date you might have a lot of questions to what you be expected on the day to go though as its not a normal interview for a shop lets say.
This is different depending on the operators and which tests they wish to do. However we will cover all the ones we know of that they might do.
Maths
This test isn’t something to be scared off if you wasn’t that good at math’s, These will be basic questions to work out your skill at math’s. To ensure you are able to add up and give change. Take your time there normally isn’t a time limit on this. Complete it to the best you can if you can’t answer it all don’t worry long as you are able to answer the most of it correctly there won’t be a issue.
As we say this is just to ensure you can add up and give change, Most tickets these days are paid by card and are worked out by a ticket machine, They can even work out the change for you if you are unsure. Our personal way to work out change is to add up to the amount you have been given.
English
This again is nothing to worry about this is basic English to ensure you will understand instructions that are written and be able to complete any reports that you might need to do. For example an indecent report they need to ensure you can write that out and can be understood.
Study
This is something that has been at all the interviews that we have attended. Its a mix of the English and Math’s test. They will ask you questions normally to do with Time and reading timetables. They might give you a example running board and timetable. You be asked questions regarding this for example “bus A leaves at 10:40 from Stretford using the timetable what time is it due at Manchester?” All the answers you need are there you just have to take your time and read the information given. We would say by far this might be the easy part of the interview.
Highway Code
This test is something that hasn’t been in all the interviews as a written test but it is in there somewhere. This is just to ensure that you understand basic road signs. Stagecoach back in the day when we applied loved to throw a side ball in that test they use to include a triangle with an animal in the sign the answer you think to give is “wildlife ahead” however they are looking for the animal like “Dear ahead” however long as you get most of it correct its not a issue.
Drug and Drink
This test has been different and sometimes isn’t done. However if the interviewer believes it is required they will do it to ensure they are safe with you and you are safe. This if going to be done is done before the next test that is below. Drink is the typical blow into a machine test and drug is the drug swap in your mouth. As we say we only had this once but they do have the right to test you.
Driving assessment
For this depending on your driving license will depend on the vehicle you are taken out in. For new drivers it will typically be a car or a van. If you hold your PSV then it will be a bus.
For this test they are looking for your driving manner and ability, For new drivers they want to see that you can drive safe and any issues to see they can address it in training so don’t worry if you make a mess up they may give you a little advice on the drive this isn’t oh no I’ve fail they may do this to see if you can listen and take on what they are advising. Remember the end goal is these are teaching you drive a bus its a massive killing machine. If you can no listen to advice in a car then they not going to feel like you will listen in driving school.
Don’t feel pressured in this part of the interview they know you can drive and are just looking for a safe drive. Our trick is to treat them as your mate sat in the seat make conversation with them and relax. They know that you might be nervous and will help you to relax.
For those coming back into the Job and are taken out in a bus this probably is nice and easy they are just wanting to see you can drive and handle the bus in a safe manner treat it as you have a full load of passengers and not at the end of your shift and rally it to the depot (This Defo doesn’t happen for legal reasons).
Interview
Once you have passed all the tests and they will turn you away if you don’t meet a standard normally the order we have listed these in are the the order they are carried out.
You will be having your typical interview with someone normally it be the Depot manager or higher, They will ask you the typical questions and if you made it this far and everything is in order you pretty much have the job. They will then give you a start date or might contact you the next day via phone or email with the start date and that’s it. You will enter the life of learning to drive a bus. Its not over yet though so pay attention and do well in the tests once you got the license you have a job for life.