Do I need a PCV licence to be a bus driver?

Yes. To drive a bus you need category D on your driving licence, plus Driver CPC and a medical, and the operator will check your licence. If you do not hold it yet, say whether you are working towards it.

What is Driver CPC and should I list it?

Driver CPC is the Certificate of Professional Competence. Professional drivers complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years, and you should list it with the expiry date of your card.

Should I mention points on my licence?

Be honest. If you have points, state them briefly, because the operator will check anyway, and a clean record is worth highlighting if you have one.

Bus driver CV example

A strong bus driver CV makes your licence position clear at once: a full category D (PCV) entitlement, Driver CPC and a clean record. It should also show punctuality, calm passenger handling and route knowledge, because these are what operators rely on day to day.

Ravi Patel

Bus driver

ravi@example.com

07700 900151

Bristol

Profile

Punctual and calm bus driver holding a full category D licence and up-to-date Driver CPC. Experienced in driving single-deck town and rural routes to timetable, taking fares and helping passengers of all ages, including wheelchair and pushchair users. Known for a smooth driving style and a good attendance record.

Experience

Bus Driver

a local town and village bus operator

Drove single-deck buses on town and rural routes, keeping to the timetable in all kinds of traffic

Carried out daily walk-round checks and reported defects before leaving the depot

Sold tickets and handled contactless and cash payments, balancing takings at the end of each shift

Helped wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs and older passengers on and off safely using the ramp and kneeling system

Kept passengers and the control room updated during diversions and delays

Minibus Driver

a community transport charity

Drove an adapted minibus taking older and disabled people to appointments and day centres

Helped passengers in and out of the vehicle and secured wheelchairs correctly

Completed MIDAS minibus driver training and kept up with refreshers

Kept the vehicle log and fuel records up to date

Key skills

Full category D (PCV) licence

Driver CPC (Driver Qualification Card)

Timetable punctuality

Passenger assistance

Ticketing and contactless payments

Route knowledge

Vehicle walk-round checks

Calm under pressure

Clean driving record

Example · fictional candidate · Ribbon design · Use this design

Tips for a bus driver CV

Put your licence details near the top: category D (PCV), when you passed, your Driver CPC status and any points on your licence
Say when your Driver Qualification Card runs out, so the employer knows your Driver CPC is in date
Include the routes and vehicle types you have driven, such as town, rural, school or express services, single-deck or double-deck
Show punctuality and attendance, since operators care about timekeeping and safe driving above all
Mention how you help passengers who need extra time, such as wheelchair users and older people
Add any commendations from passengers or managers if you have them

Applying with a cover letter? See our bus driver cover letter example.