How to become a bus driver in BC

Q: What do you need to get in?

At least 19 years old; A full BC Class 5 licence (motorcycle licences do not count); Driver's medical exam sent to RoadSafetyBC; Class 2 knowledge test and air brake course + test. Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver · British Columbia

Drive a city bus or a school bus. You need a Class 2 licence: a knowledge test, a medical check and a road test.

How long

4 to 8 weeks (medical + training + ICBC road test)

Cost

$1,125 – $4,500

12 schools

Who licenses it

ICBC

🏫Where you can take this: 12 schools

🌲B.V. Driving School Ltd.🚌Burnaby Professional Driving School Inc.⚓CSTT Complete School of Truck Transportation Ltd.🏔️Extreme Professional Driver Training Inc.⭐Gold Star Professional Driving School Inc.🚙Insurance Corporation of British Columbia + 6 more

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

Class 2 Knowledge Exam & Air Brake Endorsement

Pass ICBC Class 2 knowledge test and air brake exam to receive learner permit

STEP 2

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Complete hands-on bus driver training curriculum with certified instructors

STEP 3

Class 2 Road Test, Including Pre-Trip Inspection

Pass Class 2 road test, including a pre-trip inspection

JOB

Professional Bus Driver (Transit, Tour Coach, School Bus)

Drive professionally for public transit authorities, school districts, or coach companies

STEP 1

Class 2 Knowledge Exam & Air Brake Endorsement

Pass ICBC Class 2 knowledge test and air brake exam to receive learner permit

STEP 2

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Complete hands-on bus driver training curriculum with certified instructors

STEP 3

Class 2 Road Test, Including Pre-Trip Inspection

Pass Class 2 road test, including a pre-trip inspection

JOB

Professional Bus Driver (Transit, Tour Coach, School Bus)

Drive professionally for public transit authorities, school districts, or coach companies

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay

$21.00 – $40.19 / hr$31.11 median

Job outlook

3,980 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035

Where the work is

Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island / Coast

What a day looks like

Work takes place in driver cab of modern urban transit buses, highway coach vehicles, or yellow school buses, as well as direct passenger interactions, ticket and fare verification, and route inquiries.

Watch out for

Be mindful of navigating heavy urban traffic, cyclists, and unpredictable pedestrians and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Mentor newly hired bus drivers and conduct behind-the-wheel route evaluations.

Coordinate fleet operations, schedule adjustments, and incident responses from transit control centers.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 73301

JOBS

Find jobs

Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.

Job Board

WorkBC job board

Search “Bus Driver” in BC →

Job Board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

Search “Bus Driver” in BC →

Job Board

Search “Bus Driver” in BC →

Job Board

Indeed

Search “Bus Driver” in BC →

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Common questions

How long does it take to become a bus driver in BC?

About 4 to 8 weeks of training. The main steps are class 2 knowledge exam & air brake endorsement, class 2 commercial bus driver training, class 2 road test, including pre-trip inspection, professional bus driver (transit, tour coach, school bus).

What do you need to get in?

At least 19 years old
A full BC Class 5 licence (motorcycle licences do not count)
Driver's medical exam sent to RoadSafetyBC
Class 2 knowledge test and air brake course + test

Some schools ask for more; check the school page.

How much does a bus driver make in BC?

The WorkBC median is $31.11 / hour. Most earn between $21.00 and $40.19 / hour. 3,980 job openings are expected in BC over 2025–2035.

Do you need a licence?

Yes. You register with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Before that you pass Class 2 road test, including a pre-trip inspection.

WHERE TO TAKE THIS

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Accredited British Columbia institutions offering recognized programs and courses for this career.

Browse all BC institutions

🚛

Valley Driving School

Surrey / Langley / Abbotsford / Burnaby · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Complete Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Comprehensive 12-hour practical coach bus training covering pre-trip inspection, air brake procedures, turning clearance, and ICBC road test prep.

Duration12 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$1,799

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚚

Integrity Driving School Ltd.

Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna & Prince George · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Bus Driver Training Program

Practical commercial bus training program covering thorough vehicle pre-trip circle checks, passenger safety, in-city transit maneuvering, and road test rental.

Duration12–24 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$1,999

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🏔️

Mountain Transport Institute (Kootenay Driver Training)

Castlegar · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Automatic Driver Training Program

Extensive 51-hour commercial bus training program in Castlegar featuring 25 hours of 1-on-1 behind-the-wheel driving, 7.5-hour air brake course, defensive driving, and pre-trip inspection.

Duration51 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$4,500

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🎓

Taylor Pro College Ltd.

Kelowna & Vernon · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Driver Training Program

Structured 21-hour commercial bus driving program in Kelowna and Vernon providing practical in-cab instruction, pre-trip vehicle inspections, and road test booking.

Duration21 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$2,415

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚌

Burnaby Professional Driving School Inc.

Burnaby · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Buses - Bus with Air Brakes Course

Comprehensive 21-hour commercial bus package combining 12 hours of practical road training, 7 hours of air brake certification, and vehicle rental for the ICBC road test.

Duration21 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$2,100

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🌲

B.V. Driving School Ltd.

Houston · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Driver Training Course

Intensive 15-hour commercial bus driver training course in Houston, BC, featuring 3 hours per day over 5 days covering pre-trip inspection and hands-on driving.

Duration5 days

FormatIn-Person

Est. Cost$1,125

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🌊

West Coast Driver Training & Education Inc.

Duncan, Victoria & Nanaimo · Vancouver Island

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Bus Driver Training

One-on-one commercial bus driving lessons and pre-trip mechanical inspection training on Vancouver Island serving Duncan, Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Gulf Islands.

Duration4–8 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🏔️

Extreme Professional Driver Training Inc.

Kamloops, Kelowna & Vernon · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Basic Class 2 Driver Training

Practical 21-hour commercial bus driver training using school-provided bus, covering pre-trip mechanical circle checks and in-traffic driving in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vernon.

Duration21 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

⭐

Gold Star Professional Driving School Inc.

Burnaby & Coquitlam · Metro Vancouver

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Bus Driver Training Program

Specialized bus driver training covering commercial pre-trip inspections, turning radius management, air brake checks, and ICBC road test preparation in Burnaby.

Duration4–8 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

⚓

CSTT Complete School of Truck Transportation Ltd.

Sidney & Victoria · Vancouver Island

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Hands-on commercial bus driving lessons, pre-trip vehicle circle-check coaching, and ICBC road test preparation for Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island drivers in Sidney.

Duration4–8 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚙

Road Alert Driving School Ltd.

Prince George · Interior & North

Safety Ticket / Certification

Class 2 Bus Driver Training

Northern BC commercial bus driver training and pre-trip vehicle inspection preparation for Prince George and surrounding regional transit and charter drivers.

Duration4–8 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

🚙

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

Province-Wide · Online / BC-Wide

Safety Ticket / Certification

ICBC Class 2 Commercial Knowledge & Road Examination

Official provincial commercial knowledge examination, air brake test, and commercial vehicle road driving evaluation.

Duration1.5 hours

FormatIn-Person

Est. CostNot published

See the full page: Class 2 bus driver training →

Direct Enrolment Portal

How to become a bus driver in BC

The route at a glance

Class 2 Knowledge Exam & Air Brake Endorsement

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Class 2 Road Test, Including Pre-Trip Inspection

Professional Bus Driver (Transit, Tour Coach, School Bus)

Class 2 Knowledge Exam & Air Brake Endorsement

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Class 2 Road Test, Including Pre-Trip Inspection

Professional Bus Driver (Transit, Tour Coach, School Bus)

What the job is like

Find jobs

WorkBC job board

Job Bank (Government of Canada)

LinkedIn

Indeed

Common questions

How long does it take to become a bus driver in BC?

What do you need to get in?

How much does a bus driver make in BC?

Do you need a licence?

Approved colleges, universities & providers

Valley Driving School

Complete Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Integrity Driving School Ltd.

Class 2 Bus Driver Training Program

Mountain Transport Institute (Kootenay Driver Training)

Class 2 Automatic Driver Training Program

Taylor Pro College Ltd.

Class 2 Driver Training Program

Burnaby Professional Driving School Inc.

Class 2 Buses - Bus with Air Brakes Course

B.V. Driving School Ltd.

Class 2 Driver Training Course

West Coast Driver Training & Education Inc.

Class 2 Bus Driver Training

Extreme Professional Driver Training Inc.

Basic Class 2 Driver Training

Gold Star Professional Driving School Inc.

Class 2 Bus Driver Training Program

CSTT Complete School of Truck Transportation Ltd.

Class 2 Commercial Bus Driver Training

Road Alert Driving School Ltd.

Class 2 Bus Driver Training

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

ICBC Class 2 Commercial Knowledge & Road Examination