Questions and answers

Is it true it costs me nothing to apply?

Yes, you pay nothing at all; we pay for your medical and Provisional PCV licence. 

What do I require for a job as a PCV driver?

It is a legal requirement that you are at least 18 years of age to hold a PCV licence. Applications are welcome from anyone who holds a full UK car driving licence or EEA equivalent which has no more than 6 penalty points within the past 4 year period. (No disqualifications allowed within the past 5 years). If licence has been held for less than 2 years it must be clean. No period of disqualification is allowed within the past 5 years.

Convictions

In date convictions will be taken into account, and individual sentences will be assessed against out employment criteria.  (Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders act, all spent convictions need not be disclosed and will not be taken into consideration).

Drink Driving convictions

Drink Driving convictions remain on your driving licence for a period of 11 years.  Go North East will not accept applications which display such a conviction within this period of time. 

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?

Applications to work on a part-time basis are welcome from both fully qualified PCV drivers and those in need of training, however availability will depend upon the ability to accommodate the type of hours requested and the recruitment activity within a selected depot.  Most part-time positions will be to operate School Bus contracts on a split shift basis, Monday – Friday.

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 will affect your application for a PCV licence:

• EPILEPSY – You must remain seizure-free for 10 years since your last seizure WITHOUT anticonvulsant medication. If you have suffered a solitary seizure, you may apply for a Group 2 license after 5 years provided that you have remained seizure free WITHOUT anticonvulsant medication during that time.
• EYESIGHT – All applicants must be able to read in good daylight (with the aid of glasses if necessary) a number plate at 20.5 metres. Their visual acuity (with the aid of glasses if necessary) must be at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 in the other. Uncorrected vision must be at least 3/60 in each eye.
• DIABETES –You can apply for a PCV license provided that your Diabetes is well controlled and stable. The DVLA (depending upon how your Diabetes is treated) will require written evidence of it’s successful management.

Details of other medical conditions that may affect your ability to apply for a PCV license can be found on the following website or within the DVLA application form D4, available at your local Post Office or contact our Driver Recruitment line on 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.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS

If you have previously applied and have been unsuccessful within the recruitment system, then you must wait until a period of 12 months has passed before you can re-apply for a position.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYEES

Once you have left the employ of Go North East you must wait until a period of 12 months has passed before you can re-apply for a position (re-employment will be subject to satisfactory internal references).

Employees who have been dismissed from Go North East will not be considered for re-employment

FOREIGN NATIONALS

Go North East is an Equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all nationalities.  It is essential however that you can provide all of the required Asylum and immigration documentation, which is required for employment within the UK (see Asylum & Immigration Act 1996 – updated February 2008).   In addition all Foreign Nationals must be able to provide proof that they have achieved a minimum of Esol English Language entry level 2 or equivalent. 

Alternatively a full UK passport will be acceptable. 

* EEA citizens must have resided within the UK for at least 185 days within the past 12 months before they can take a PCV test

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