Join GVB as a bus driver
Are you an experienced bus driver? Do you have a Category D driving licence and at least two years of experience driving a bus for a city or regional public transport company or coach service? Do you like the dynamism of Amsterdam and would you like to take on the challenge of helping passengers go places pleasantly, safely and on time? Join GVB, we have a good offer for you!
You need to have a work permit for the Netherlands to work at GVB
Are you an experienced bus driver? Do you have a Category D driving licence and at least two years of experience driving a bus for a city or regional public transport company or coach service? Do you like the dynamism of Amsterdam and would you like to take on the challenge of helping passengers go places pleasantly, safely and on time? Join GVB, we have a good offer for you!
You need to have a work permit for the Netherlands to work at GVB
Diverse and full of energy
Imagine: in your rear-view mirror, you spot some former school friends who haven’t seen each other for years. You say ‘good luck’ to a student on the bus cramming for an exam. You might even sing along in the evening with people coming back from a concert at Ziggo Dome. Every day and every trip is different. THIS is Amsterdam. Better than that: THIS is your new job. You are a GVB bus driver now!
As a bus driver, you will meet all kinds of people all day, every day. Tourists, commuters, students, people enjoying a day out from various backgrounds and different age groups hop on the bus. Everyone making their way to their own destination. You will help them get there in a friendly and welcoming professional way, and with your own personal touch.
A bus driver is never alone
As a bus driver you’ll usually be the only GVB employee on the bus. But you never stand alone. Our GVB team is there for you. One of our bus drivers even calls it the “GVB Village”. A place where people know each other’s name. Think: traffic control, team management, planners and of course colleagues on the vehicles. You meet your colleagues on the road and during breaks at GVB destinations. We’re proud of GVB’s community spirit. Working together is the only way to build towards an accessible Amsterdam.
Useful information
Want more information on GVB training courses and shift schedules?
The training course for experienced bus drivers is based on your knowledge and experience. The training course is approximately eight hours a day, and takes place between 07:00 and 22:00. In addition, you also follow Dutch lessons every morning. Generally, training courses run from Monday to Friday, but if necessary, can take place at weekends. It is possible to adapt this to your needs.
Your work days (following training course completion) depend on your employment contract:
- You let us know which days you are available and GVB Planning Department schedules your shifts on those days.
- You work on approximately seven public holidays a year.
You receive more pay (an increased hourly rate) if you work on holidays and weekends, and these days are settled in your annual hours.
A professional bus driver (after completion of the training course) works shifts between 04:30 and 01:00. Each shift lasts at least 3 hours and no more than 8 hours and 45 minutes. Sometimes you may be scheduled to a split shift. This means your shift is divided into two parts and you work two rush hour shifts on the same day. Split shifts are limited as much as possible.
What you bring
You have a great sense of responsibility and are stress-resistant. Other requirements:
- You have a Category D driver’s licence. You have at least two years of experience as a bus driver.
- You are between 1.65 to 2 metres tall.
- You have a secondary vocational school level or higher.
- You speak English well, have good reading comprehension skills in English and want to learn Dutch. We provide Dutch classes during your training period.
- You qualify for a certificate of good conduct (in Dutch: ‘Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag’ or VOG).
- You can see colours and signals well (possibly with glasses or lenses).
Connect the world in Amsterdam
Everyone has their own destination and their own story. Each GVB employee contributes to their own journey. Together we help hundreds of thousands of people travelling in and around Amsterdam: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We connect a world of routes, people and their stories. Our buses, metro trains, trams and ferries are everywhere. But GVB is more than that. Behind the scenes, there’sa bustling world working hard to make sure the city is always accessible. As an employer, GVB wants to link each employee to our mission and vision: making a significant contribution to a liveable and accessible city. Will you join us?
Come and meet us
Are you interested but would like to meet us first or maybe even join us during a shift? You can! You are welcome to talk to one of the GVB bus drivers, instructors, recruiters or a (team)manager at any of our location. Get in touch today!
Kennismaken
Is GVB your next stop?
Enter your details. We will get in touch as soon as possible.
Fill out the application form
Enter your details on the website form.
Telephone call
We will call you within two working days and provide further information on the vacancy and selection procedure. We will also answer your initial questions and schedule an appointment to meet in person.
Preliminary interview
We will meet at one of our locations. During this interview, we will provide further information about working as an experienced GVB bus driver and we will discuss your knowledge and experience to work out what you would need in order to prepare for this job.
Selection day
During the selection day, you and other candidates will visit one of our locations. Several preliminary interviews are held, we discuss your knowledge of the city and the bus lines and you will do a test drive on one of our buses for a short time.
Conditions of employment
We reach an agreement on your employment contract and conditions of employment, your training course and your start date.
In-house training course and starting as a GVB bus driver
You take part in the in-house training course, learn the GVB bus lines and start driving the GVB bus.
Do you have a question?
Do you have any questions about this vacancy or about working at GVB? Our recruiters are happy to help you!
Olympia Inhouse GVB
Recruitment VervoerWant more information?
Frequently Asked Questions
We usually reply to applications within one or two working days, and certainly within a calendar week. One of our GVB representatives or recruitment agents will contact you by phone. If we cannot reach you, we’ll leave you a message, an email or WhatsApp. Keep an eye out for a text, voicemail or email.
The length of the selection procedure varies. In general, it will take one to two months from the moment you submit your application to the start of the GVB training course, which takes place when you start working for GVB. However, it can be quicker sometimes.
At this moment it is not possible to work directly for GVB as a non-dutch speaking driver. This is because of regulations from Vervoerregio Amsterdam.
Currently, it is not possible to drive more than one type of vehicle, but you may transfer internally from one to another at some point. We are researching whether we can offer a combined position in the future.
Yes, you can. There are several part-time options available when you work via Olympia and they include working less than 24 hours a week. Our training courses are always full-time.
If you work via Olympia, you are guaranteed a 32-hour working week. You can work more than 32 hours a week, as long as there are enough shifts available to match your availability.
As a non-speaking Dutch driver, you get to drive two transport lines. We are researching the possibilities to expand this.
No, we expect you to travel to your start location by your own means.
We do. If your skills and competencies match what is needed, and you would like to drive public transport vehicles, we welcome you at GVB. We have several people who have already reached the age of retirement. They are often employed part-time via Olympia and this gives them a flexibility of choice in their work hours. Read Ger’s story for more information.