Bus Operator Training
NZ Bus is committed to investing in its people. Training to become a bus operator with NZ Bus opens the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification, the National Certificate in Passenger Service (Level 3). Our training courses are run in Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
What you can expect
It takes roughly nine to 12 weeks from the start of training to become a fully qualified driver. Initial training is made up of the following sections:
Classroom training
At the beginning of your training you will spend the first weeks in our training school covering the following:
- Induction
- Driving course
- ICON Personal Safety @ Work & Conflicts Resolution
- ICON Customer Service & Disability Awareness
- Electronic ticketing
- Electronic ticketing machine
- Defensive driving
On-Job-Training
Following training school, you will be sent to the depot where you will be based. Here you will be partnered with a driver tutor to complete your On-Job-Training (OJT). The OJT is where you learn the specific routes you will drive once you become a qualified driver.
Licences
At the end of the training, you will receive your Class 2 New Zealand Drivers Licence with P Endorsement. The P Endorsement is approved by LTNZ following an application and the “fit and proper” check by LTNZ.
Fully qualified
Once you have your Class 2 New Zealand Drivers Licence with P Endorsement, you are set to drive our buses on your own.
National Certificate in Passenger Service (Level 3)
The National Certificate in Passenger Service (Level 3) requires 75 credits. This is made up of the following:
- Initial Training (24 credits)
- After six months, you may be trained to qualify for a Class 4 New Zealand Drivers Licence (7 credits)
- As your employment progresses with NZ Bus, you will have the opportunity while working (both on the job and/or in the classroom) to earn additional credits needed to achieve your National Certificate in Passenger Service (Level 3).
