Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

The Work

As well as collecting fares, other functions carried out by the Bus Driver include:

• Maintaining documentation, i.e. passenger report forms
• Vehicle maintenance check list, operating tachography, where appropriate, and related documentation
• Customer information/complaints
• Tour guiding in certain contexts

In practical terms a bus/ coach tour company also expects a Bus Driver to keep contact with a control base/ operations centre. This is to keep drivers informed on essential information such as traffic and roadwork conditions. This also allows drivers security. Long distance Bus Drivers now have strict laws governing the hours drivers should work. Drivers on express routes are responsible for the loading and unloading of passengers' suitcases.

Intercity bus drivers who report to a station where their journey begins. They pick up passengers and transport then to another station where they will pick up more passengers for the return journey. 

Along with the transport of passengers, delivering stories, facts, presentations on local folklore and history may form part of this role. This can either be in tandem with driving, or supporting a dedicated tour guide. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
• Park vehicles at loading areas so that passengers can board.
• Inspect vehicles and check gas, oil, and water levels prior to departure.
• Announce stops to passengers.
• Assist passengers, such as elderly or disabled individuals, on and off bus, ensure they are seated properly, help carry baggage, and answer questions about bus schedules or routes.
• Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
• Handle passenger emergencies or disruptions.
• Report delays or accidents.
• Advise passengers to be seated and orderly while on vehicles.
• Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilating systems for passenger comfort.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Those in private industry must also have completed successfully a commercial vehicle driving course. Coach tour operators may have courier or transport experience. There is a strict selection process for Bus Drivers will undergo driving courses for buses and coaches. Drivers will also take basic motor mechanical training. It is essential that all drivers have an understanding of transport legislation, basic law, Road Traffic Acts and EU transport regulations. Other skills that will be utilised are administration, record keeping and basic reporting skills, and tour guiding as needed.

Key Skill certs 

It is essential to be an experienced car B licenced driver before becoming a Bus Driver on the D class bus driver license.  

Garda vetting & security check may form part of your application for empoloyment 

(CPC) cert of professional competency and application for D class bus driver license.  

Knowledge of Health & safety, First Aid: CPR/ AED, life saving  may also form part of the skills required for bus driving. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Bus and Coach Driving, Local and National Tour Guiding in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: National Tour Guide Training Programme, Sales, Marketing, Corporate Transport Hospitality, Transport, Distribution & Logistics at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Commercial driver Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Tourism Management, Tourism, Hospitality and Tourism, Culture and Environment (with Tourism), Business Studies with Travel and Tourism Management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Associations

Failte Ireland Supporting services and development in Tourism & Hospitality. 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €41k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Salary can vary based on hourly or sessional rate. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed / Glassdoor / Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Road Safety Authority (RSA)

  • Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co.Mayo
  • (096) 25000 / LoCall 1890 506080
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here