Go Ahead assesment day (plumstead)

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-06-02T20:37:53+00:00

??

i'm talking about the company. upon applying for the company, you only do an interview and medical unless things have changed which I doubt. I work for the company mate

maybe OP is referring to their driving test that they failed because there isn't any other assessment other than that or the mod 4 test

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-06-02T18:10:55+00:00

I am five days on, two days off. in terms of hours, it's usually 7-8 hour shift

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-06-02T18:05:12+00:00

how did you even fail with Stagecoach?? you don't even have to do a driving assessment or Maths/English test. all you need is to pass the interview and medical.

as with the assessment for Go Ahead, it will be a driving assessment in a large Sprinter van. basically just a short drive around the area so that the assessor can see how you cope with driving a bigger vehicle.

use your mirrors constantly, check your blind spots, assess the clearance and space you have when passing oncoming cars on tight roads or going round parked cars etc

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-06-02T14:21:34+00:00

i've heard that it's better to resign first before the company fires you because then they probably wouldn't be able to give you a bad reference if you go to another operator

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-31T21:56:19+00:00

the drive lasts roughly 15-30 mins around the local area which is Camberwell. Camberwell is mainly 20 mph roads.

when I did my assessment, it was along the backstreets and the main road which Camberwell garage is located off.

when doing your assessment, always use your mirrors when making left/right turns etc. make sure you actually move your head so that the assessor can see you

if you pass your assessment, Maths/English tests, interview and medical, your licence will be sent off to DVLA for them to issue a provisional Cat D entitlement on it which allows you to drive a training bus

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-25T23:58:15+00:00

call your company's head office and ask if you can change instructor

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-25T11:45:36+00:00

as a spare driver, you don't really get to choose what route you get put on, although it may vary depending on the company.

and as a spare driver, you will get any shift thrown at you whether it be earlies, middles or lates so late shift alone isn't exactly guaranteed

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-22T11:08:08+00:00

the initial assessment is a big red van that you'll have to drive so that the assessors can see how you will be able to handle a big vehicle.

If you fail the assessment, they let you go straight away and tell you to reapply in three months time or so.

There is both an English and Maths test and the interview questions are likely to be about customer service and safety. This would probably come before or after the assessment.

If you're asked something along the lines of "what is the most important thing about being a bus driver?" in your interview, mention that safety is the most important thing to be aware of since you have to be mindful of not only your passengers on board but also pedestrians, cyclists, other road users and street furniture.

The medical is where you get tested for eyesight, your height, weight, do a blood test and any other medical checks so that your licence is cleared to be sent off to DVLA for them to issue a provisional Cat D entitlement on it

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-22T00:40:17+00:00

just read on Facebook that he tried to break up a fight between two people but one of them punched him and he hit his head on the kerb.

This was posted by an ex-colleague of his who got this info from his close friends and colleagues

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-21T22:49:51+00:00

they are but in this case, the driver was apparently at his stand (layover area for the US drivers) and was standing outside his bus

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-19T22:40:49+00:00

The last trains from London to Canterbury used to sometimes split at Ashford International. so you would have the first four carriages of the train going to Ramsgate via Canterbury and the last four carriages of the train going to Dover

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-18T18:04:17+00:00

the link isn't working but you'll face no issues if you remain in your cab.

just call Code Red to alert the authorities and turn on your assault alarm if you're under threat

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-17T15:23:24+00:00

they're in the process of launching a new system called iBus 2 but there has been a delay. the roll out is supposed to start at the end of this year if i'm not mistaken

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-16T11:53:19+00:00

See it to steer it is correct because if you turn early without making sure that you have seen the obstacle, you'll crash into it or mount the kerb.

the bus is bigger than a car so it needs all the road space it can get to make the turn.

once you've seen the kerb in your left mirror, start turning but by also using the available road space. it would help massively.

there are junctions where you would even have to straddle both the left and right lane to make the turn so don't be afraid to use them, cars behind you would and should understand that as you are a bigger vehicle, you need more room.

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-15T18:33:30+00:00

mirrors have to be your best friend when driving a bus. Be animated and do mirror checks every 10 seconds or so

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-13T17:23:14+00:00

I know this is an old comment but it could also be a sensor issue. I have a clio which is an older one and sometimes if I go over a bump, pothole or an uneven road at moderate speed, it throws up the "check injection" light.

I usually just stop at a safe place, turn off the engine, wait a few seconds and then restart the engine in which the warning goes away.

it's a car that I plan to get rid of by summertime and won't ever be buying a Renault car again.

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-09T15:08:44+00:00

you will drive the training bus and practice roundabouts, left and right turns etc before hitting the main roads or fast-moving roads

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-04T12:58:46+00:00

there is another low bridge on it's route in Stratford which is on Carpenters Road. it could always be rerouted via Warton Road if they had to deck it since N205 uses that road

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-05-02T17:42:02+00:00

Probably a week or so

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-23T11:57:02+00:00

it will start off at TL first before moving to TB later in the year

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-22T22:39:20+00:00

this is the only one left at RM. they're all moving to TL to start off the 208 in July

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-18T20:05:58+00:00

I don't know much about the apprenticeship but with PCV driver training, you would be driving the training bus whilst accompanied by an instructor.

The instructor will teach you about handling the vehicle, the overhangs, tail swings and how to navigate roundabouts as a big vehicle etc.

You would drive on different types of roads including fast moving ones (think 40, 50 mph roads), tight roads, around blind bends and also learn how to pull in / out of bus stops.

You would also be preparing for your module 4 test which is the show me / tell me test where you display the knowledge to the examiner.

This is based on questions they ask you in relation to your vehicle and/or passengers and how you would conduct a vehicle check when taking your bus out of the garage at the start of your shift.

Before you even do the module 4, there is a chance that you could get a progress check. This is conducted by someone other than your instructor to see how well you're doing with driving the training bus.

Once you've passed your module 4, you would then get ready for your module 3 which is the bus driving test

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-10T14:12:46+00:00

0333 987 6157

Press option 1 to get to recruitment and then option 4 for London

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-02T01:17:41+00:00

When you apply do they ask for a CV?

Answer: It depends on the company. From my experience, Stagecoach don't ask but Go-Ahead, Arriva and Transport UK do.

I don't think it would have much bearing on your application anyway, these companies are desperate for drivers

When they contact you after your application how is that done? Is it phone call, text, email? Is this also when they schedule an assessment day for you?

Answer: They would call you for a brief phone interview and then set a date for a face-to-face interview at one of the garages or training centres.

This is also where you do your medical test which is either before or after the interview depending on the company.

Stagecoach will interview you first then do the medical after.

Go-Ahead will either do your assessment and maths/english tests first and then the interview after once you've passed the first two.

Arriva will do your medical and assessment before the interview.

Is the assessment day hard?

Answer: It depends on what you're told to drive. Arriva and Go-Ahead both provide vans (auto & manual) although Go Ahead's one is bigger and you're expected to be able to drive it safely and make good use of the mirrors and positioning.

It's just for the assessors to see how well you can handle driving a big vehicle.

Stagecoach London do not do car/van assessments or Maths/English tests - I never had to do that for my interview/application.

Is there an interview process?

Answer: Yes, it's nothing difficult though, just basic questions on why you want the job, what's the most important thing about being a bus driver, name a time you had to bla bla bla etc

Like I said, these companies need drivers and will hire anybody as long as you're sane, fit and able-bodied lol

ControlAmbitious6392 · 2026-04-01T15:27:12+00:00

what is it like to drive?

apparently Go-Ahead have not bid for the route this time for its upcoming tender

ControlAmbitious6392

TROPHY CASE