To become a bus driver in the US, you need a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement, plus a school bus (S) endorsement for school routes, and many employers train you for it on the job. In the UK, you'll need a full car licence, a provisional bus licence and the 5 tests of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), and you've got to be over 18.
Bus driving is a skilled job where many new drivers earn their licence during on-the-job training. The rules aren't the same on each side of the Atlantic, so I've laid out both. Everything here comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the National Careers Service and GOV.UK, checked in October 2026.
US and UK bus driver requirements
| United States | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | CDL with a passenger (P) endorsement | Bus licence plus the full Driver CPC |
| School routes | Also need the school bus (S) endorsement | Not a separate rule in these sources |
| Minimum age | 18 in many states; at least 21 to drive across state lines | Over 18, with some exceptions |
| Health | Interstate drivers pass a physical exam every 2 years | Renew the licence every 5 years, then every year from 65 |
| Ongoing training | Random drug or alcohol testing for interstate drivers | 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years |
How to become a bus driver in the US
- Finish high school. BLS says you'll typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Keep a clean record. You'll need a good driving record and must meet physical, hearing and vision requirements. Most drivers also pass a background check.
- Get your CDL. Qualifications vary by state but generally include knowledge and driving tests. Some new drivers earn their CDL during on-the-job training.
- Add the endorsements. Every bus driver needs the P endorsement, and school bus drivers also need the S endorsement. Each one's got extra knowledge and driving tests with a certified examiner.
- Train on the route. New drivers practise on a driving course, then light traffic, then make trips with passengers alongside an experienced driver.
Interstate drivers also follow the hours-of-service rules: BLS says 10 hours of driving and 15 hours on duty before 8 consecutive hours of rest.
The health standards that rule people out
Before you spend anything on training, check you can meet the federal medical standards BLS describes. They're stricter than a car licence:
- Hearing: you must be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid
- Vision: at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye, and the ability to tell the colors on a traffic light apart
- Movement: normal use of your arms and legs
- Medical conditions: federal and state rules don't allow people with conditions such as high blood pressure or epilepsy that may interfere with safe driving
Patience matters too. BLS lists heavy traffic and unruly passengers as the everyday stresses of the job, and dependability, because passengers rely on you being on time.
How to become a bus driver in the UK
- Hold a full car licence. Most bus companies expect at least 6 months of car driving experience, says the National Careers Service.
- Apply for a provisional bus licence. GOV.UK says it's free to apply.
- Pass the Driver CPC. There are 5 tests. You can book part 1 and part 2 as soon as you've got your provisional licence, and the two halves of part 1 must be passed within 2 years of each other.
- Train with an employer or an apprenticeship. PCV driver training normally lasts between 1 and 6 weeks. The Passenger Transport Driver Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship typically takes 12 months.
- Stay qualified. Take 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years.
Driver CPC test fees in the UK
These are the GOV.UK prices for booking with DVSA through the official service, as of October 2026:
| Test | Weekday | Evening, weekend and bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 theory (multiple choice) | £26 | £26 |
| Part 1 theory (hazard perception) | £11 | £11 |
| Part 2 case studies | £23 | £23 |
| Part 3a off-road exercises | £40 | £40 |
| Part 3b on-road driving | £115 | £141 |
| Part 4 practical demonstration | £55 | £63 |
Many employers cover this when they're training you, so ask before you book anything yourself. GOV.UK also warns you may be charged more if you book through an unofficial website.
What bus drivers earn
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $59,050 for transit and intercity bus drivers and $47,920 for school bus drivers (May 2025). The best-paid group is transit drivers working for local government, at $64,590, while charter bus drivers earn $48,420. School drivers often work limited hours because they only drive when school is in session.
In the UK, the National Careers Service gives £25,000 for starters to £37,000 with experience, on 40 to 48 variable hours, and says coach contracts paid by the day can start from £120 a day.
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Outlook and related routes
BLS projects bus driver employment to grow just 2% from 2025 to 2035, yet expects about 77,600 openings a year as drivers retire or move on. If you'd rather drive freight, the CPC overlaps heavily with becoming an HGV driver, and in the US my guide on how to become a truck driver covers the CDL side for goods.
My verdict
Bus driving's a solid, steady job with low entry costs if you let the employer train you. In the US, aim for a transit agency if you want the best pay, and get the P endorsement early. In the UK, apply to a bus company that pays for your Driver CPC rather than funding the tests yourself, and keep your 35 hours of training up to date.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a CDL to drive a bus?
Yes, in the US. BLS says all bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger (P) endorsement, and school bus drivers also need the S endorsement.
How old do you have to be to drive a bus?
BLS says many states require bus drivers to be 18 or older and at least 21 to drive across state lines. In the UK, GOV.UK says you must be over 18, with some exceptions.
How long does bus driver training take in the UK?
The National Careers Service says PCV driver training normally lasts between 1 and 6 weeks, and the apprenticeship typically takes 12 months.
How much do bus drivers make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median of $59,050 a year for transit and intercity bus drivers and $47,920 for school bus drivers (May 2025).
