Shuttle driver job description

Shuttle drivers must hold a current driver’s licence appropriate to the vehicle being operated. For vehicles carrying 12 or fewer passengers, a Light Rigid (LR) licence is typically required. For larger buses carrying more passengers, a Medium Rigid (MR) or Heavy Rigid (HR) licence may be necessary. All drivers must maintain a clean driving record. Use HR software to track licence expiry dates and renewals.

If the shuttle service involves transporting children (such as school shuttles or resort kids clubs), a Working With Children Check is typically required. Even if not mandatory for your specific service, having this clearance demonstrates the driver’s suitability for passenger-facing roles and can be a valuable credential.

Beyond the appropriate driver’s licence, shuttle drivers should ideally have a first aid certificate, clean driving record with no major violations, and excellent customer service skills. For airport shuttles, familiarity with local geography and tourist attractions is beneficial. Some employers may require disability assistance training.

Look for previous passenger transport experience, proven safe driving record, customer service background, familiarity with the local area, and ability to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings and weekends. Experience with tourists, hospitality or service industries is highly valuable.

This depends on your service patterns. Permanent drivers provide consistency and build relationships with regular passengers, while casuals offer flexibility for peak periods or seasonal demand. Many shuttle operations use a core permanent team supplemented by casuals during busy times. See our guide on casual vs permanent employment trends.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, penalty rates apply for: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, early morning starts (before 6:00am) and late evening finishes (after 8:00pm). Casual employees receive a 25% loading. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, the minimum engagement for casual employees is typically 3-4 hours per shift. Part-time employees have guaranteed minimum hours. Check the specific award provisions for your operation type and vehicle classification.

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type, hourly rate, applicable award, licence requirements and expiry dates, main duties and routes, work location, shift patterns, uniform and presentation standards, and any physical requirements. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, rosters should be provided at least 7 days in advance where practicable. Changes require reasonable notice unless due to unforeseen circumstances. Using rostering software helps support compliance and gives drivers visibility of upcoming shifts and routes.

Yes, split shifts are common in shuttle operations to cover morning and evening peak periods. However, the award has specific rules about spread of hours, breaks between shifts and additional allowances. Clearly communicate split shift requirements in the job description and support compliance with award provisions.

Under the Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award, employees working more than 5 hours are entitled to meal breaks. The specific break entitlements and timing depend on shift length and operational requirements. Breaks must be scheduled to maintain service continuity. Use rostering tools to manage coverage.

Track driver qualifications including licence types, route familiarity and any special certifications. Use rostering software to match qualified drivers to appropriate routes and vehicles. Consider driver preferences for specific routes while ensuring all drivers maintain diverse route knowledge.