Getting ready to become a professional bus driver
1) Learner Licence
Once you turn 16, you can apply for your learner's licence to drive a car. A learner's licence allows you to drive a car under supervision. Your supervisor must have held an open licence for at least one year and currently hold an open licence (for example, their licence must not be expired or suspended). To get your learner licence, you need to successfully complete PrepL ($26.85) or pass a written road rules test ($26.85). You must also be medically fit to drive.
To apply for your license and get more details, please visit: Car learner licence | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
There are 2 types of provisional licences—P1 and P2. The P1 licence is your first provisional licence before you move on to P2.
Applying for a P1 licence - $62.80
If you are under 25 years of age, you will need to book and pass your practical driving test ($62.80) to get your P1 licence. You cannot take a practical driving test until you are at least 17 years of age and have met the logbook requirements. Once you have your P1 licence, you can drive unsupervised.
To apply for a P1 licence and get more details, please visit: P1 provisional licence | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Applying for a P2 licence - $38.65
You will get a P2 licence if you:
Are at least 18 and you have held your P1 licence for at least 1 year, passed the hazard perception test and paid the test fee ($38.65). On a P2 licence, you no longer have passenger restrictions.
To apply for a P2 licence and get more details, please visit: P2 provisional licence | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
As soon you are 18 years old and have held your car licence for a period of 12 months continuously, you can learn to drive the next highest vehicle class and apply for an MR license.
MR license is to drive a bus or truck (including a prime mover or a mobile crane) over 8t GVM with a maximum of 2 axles.
When you had your classes and are ready, you need to complete the heavy vehicle theory test and pay the test booking fee ($62.80) You may only drive while carrying a current medical certificate form (F3712). You must obey any conditions listed on the certificate.
To apply for an MR licence and get more details, please visit: Upgrading a licence | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
2) Provisional (P1/P2) licence
3) MR Licence
5) Driver Authorisation
4) Open licence
To upgrade your provisional licence to an open licence, you must:
Have held your provisional licence for the required period and declare that you are medically fit to drive the class of vehicle. You may need to provide a medical certificate that states that you are medically fit to drive and pay the licence fee—if your current licence is expiring or expired. You may need to have your photo taken when you apply for your open licence. If your application is approved, you will receive a driver's licence receipt that authorises you to drive. Your new driver's licence will be sent to you by standard mail.
To apply for an Open licence and get more details, please visit: Open licence | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
A driver authorisation is a qualification required by drivers of motor vehicles used to provide a particular public passenger service. General DA applicants must hold a current Australian open for at least 3 years in total.
DA applicants and holders must demonstrate medical fitness to drive a motor vehicle used to provide a public passenger service. must provide a medical certificate issued for a commercial vehicle driver on Form F3712 Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver. All new applicants for driver authorisation must pay a criminal history check fee of $47.65.
To apply for a Driver Authorisation licence, and get more information about fees and process, please visit: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Licensing/Passenger-transport-driver-authorisation
Besides the licence requirements, it is important to remember that as a bus driver you will be responsible for caring for our community.
The profession of a bus driver is extremely valuable within our society, where you will be part of a team that values giving back to our community with our service and care.
If you would like to know more about the profession and how to join Clarks’ team, contact us at info@clarkslogancity.com.au to book a chat.
*All prices displayed as of 1 July 2022 - for up to date prices, always visit https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/fees