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Is it true it costs me nothing to apply?
Yes, you pay nothing at all; we pay for your medical and Provisional PCV licence.
Do I need a PCV licence to apply as a driver?
No, not for a full time position. We welcome the opportunity to train new recruits with the potential to succeed as bus drivers. You need to have held a car licence for over 2 years with no more than 6 penalty points, which can be for the same type of offence. This can be reduced to 18 months, if you have no penalty points.
What happens after I send my application in?
Applicants meeting our selection criteria will be given an appointment for an interview. There is then an assessment day, usually at our Chester-le-Street depot. The assessment covers highway code, basic arithmetic, writing and driving ability, along with seeing how you relate to customers. Your medical is generally carried out on the same day.
What else do I do on the day?
Non-PCV holders must apply for their PCV Provisional Licence, but we help with the application through the ‘Fastrack’ licence system and pay for the licence. Again, this is normally done on the same day as your assessment.
How long will training take?
In keeping with the responsibility of the job and our professional standards, the training is very comprehensive. For training, two days training precede the statutory Theory and Hazard Perception Tests, before you move on to driving the vehicles. This lasts on average eleven days, with constant instruction and support. You will get paid a training wage from the day you start training until you pass your PCV practical, then you'll be paid the full driving rate agreed with your home depot. Qualified PCV drivers receive the full drivers rate from start of employment.
What happens after training?
Once you are a qualified PCV driver, your training continues with customer care; disability awareness; ticket and ticket machine usage; and vehicle and route familiarisation. Experienced drivers are allocated to you to help you in the early weeks, and reviews are held to ensure you are settling in well.
Will my training continue?
All training is geared to helping you achieve NVQ level 2 standards in ‘Road Passenger Transport’ and after 6 months with us, we’ll spend a day helping you to get ready for your NVQ, with a later day allocated to review.
How might my career progress?
Around 80% of Go North East staff are drivers, but almost all leading drivers, instructors, supervisors, managers and directors have worked as bus drivers at some point.
How many hours will I be expected to work?
A minimum of 39 hours will be allocated within a pre-determined rota system. This will enable you to plan duties and rest days well in advance.
Are there any part-time vacancies available?
Yes, we have opportunities for part-time drivers, PCV qualified or in need of training, at all depot locations. Hours of work would be discussed with your prospective manager. Most part-time work will include some evenings and weekends. If you are interested in driving part-time, you can apply in the normal way.
From time to time, we may also have vacancies for certain periods of the day such as covering scholars services.
Will there be overtime available?
There are varying amounts of overtime available for you to work, on an optional basis.
What is the Medical Criteria?
The following medical conditions are a bar to holding a PCV licence:
Epileptic attacks;
Diabetes controlled by insulin;
Eyesight - all applicants must be able to read in good daylight a number plate at 20.5 metres and must not suffer from uncontrolled double vision.
In addition the applicant must able to read in good daylight a number plate at 20.5 metres and must not suffer from uncontrolled double vision. In addition the applicant must have normal binocular field of vision; visual acuity of at least 6/9 in the better eye; visual acuity of at least 6/12 in the worse eye; and If these are achieved by correction, the uncorrected visual acuity in each eye must be no less than 3/60.
In addition, further medical criteria that need to be satisfied before the DVLA will grant a PCV licence. These are detailed on their form D4, which is available from your nearest Post Office or our Driver Recruitment line (0191 477 8888).
If you have any doubts about your ability to meet the medical standards, please consult your Doctor/Optician or contact our Occupational Health Department on 0191 478 5792 for further advice.
Most driving employment information can be obtained by navigating the links above. If you have any additional queries or are uncertain about something, please contact us by telephone or e-mail:
0191 477 8888——email