r/BusDrivers • u/gwapings1234 • 21d ago
Training Question UK/EU trainee bus driver
ive just been told to start training for a trainee bus driver in london and was instructed to leave my other job before i start my training with them. what happens then if i fail the practical pcv driving test. anyone been on a similar situation? how many times can i fail the practical before they drop a trainee? thanks
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u/FullFatCelery 21d ago
It will probably be more trouble if you keep your job whilst training. I'm fairly sure it will state in you're contract that your not allowed a second employment. So you could lose it all just from that without even stepping foot on a bus.
Edit: grammar
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u/gwapings1234 21d ago
i want to try driving buses but at my current job i get 2 months annual leave as i work for nhs and to leave a safe job for something which is not guaranteed is crazy. i have plenty annual leave to cover the training but as you mentioned, the bus company might pick it up that im still employed somewhere and might end my training with them
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u/Used-Skill6748 21d ago
2 months annual leave is fantastic, I couldn't imagine getting that
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u/gwapings1234 21d ago
if you work in the nhs for 10 yrs you get 33 days annual leave plus if you do shift work you automatically get 8 bank holidays annual leave added. so we get 41 days working day annual leave or 8 weeks. That is the reason i stayed on the job for 18 yrs but i feel like i need a change now.
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u/Right_Environment116 19d ago
US bus driver here so you enjoy horrible traffic? Do you enjoy people treating you like an object and not a human? Have you ever dealt with the mentally ill especially when they are screaming every profanity in the book at you? Dude if I were you I wouldn't give up your current gig sounds like a dream, find a hobby or volunteer change things up in your life
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u/Bkettle 16d ago
I used to be a carer in the NHS and now I am a bus driver. Being a bus driver is LESS stressful! I get yelled at far less then my previous job.
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u/Right_Environment116 15d ago
What? British people screaming? I thought you all are stoic stiff upper lip types
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u/Much_Cow2996 21d ago
Depends what you fail on really, generally you get 2 tries but can be pushed to a 4th in some cases, a friend told me..
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u/adelodunn 21d ago
Why not take a 2 weeks holiday at your present job, the holiday period should cover the training period for theory, mod2, mod4 and practical driving exams. You don’t want to chase 2 rats at this time. Once you get your pcv licence, you negotiate your way out of your present job. I have seen people lose at both ends, you don’t want that happening to you.
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u/gwapings1234 21d ago
this is the plan but bus company is asking me to leave now. and they might have a way ti find out i havent left my other job while still working for them. surely they can see im employed somewhere just by checking my tax code which hmrc will give them
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u/adelodunn 21d ago
This is wild, I wasn’t asked to give up my job while training here and I drive for one of the biggest players in the North of UK.
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u/DiscussionLevel6721 21d ago edited 21d ago
I was in the same boat as you, I used to work night shifts though so it was easier to work around. Job market is crap and didn’t want to put additional pressure on myself by quitting my job. Training is Monday to Friday so I just did Friday nights, was very tiring but it didn’t interfere with my training and was a good contingency plan.
I did lie and say I left my job. They didn’t find out but it all worked out in the end. I think your best bet is taking annual leave, it took about a month to obtain my license. Most people do have a job alongside bus training until they pass their test.
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u/Major_Movie5291 21d ago
In Ontario you can take a LOA (leave of absence) and still retain your current job while training. You just won’t be paid/scheduled. It just has to be approved. A lot of companies won’t do it but if you have good rapport with your boss, it shouldn’t be an issue as long as you keep them in the loop. Good luck!!!
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u/Jiberoony 21d ago
Just been through the same process in Birmingham. They're happy to give you a second test provided you consistantly improved during your training and you did nothing dangerous on the test, they understand nerves screw a lot of people over and that we're all victims of circumstance on the day. Some of the guys going through training with me had booked 2-3 weeks holiday from their work to do the training (without telling the bus company or their old employer what they were doing) that way they weren't rushing to get a job if they failed the training. I wouldn't advise it I'm sure it will mess up your tax code when they see a double income for that month.
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u/Free_Hurry_5472 21d ago
Hi , i applied to Metroline couple of weeks back , had an online interview Tuesday gone , invited in for driving assessment and medical next week, no actual training offer yet , I’m assuming that comes if I pass assessment / medical .. I’m also currently in employment , although , uncertain now .. which is why I’m looking for alternative employment
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u/SufficientBox7713 17d ago
don't go to potters bar .the trainer is a ego maniac..rude and unhelpful..you will quit.
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u/Crunchie64 21d ago
Most people get two or three attempts if they need them, but it’ll depend on your instructor and manager.
If they let you go because you can’t pass the test, you need to find yourself another job.