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Bus Driver

Bus drivers transport passengers safely and efficiently. The work requires traffic awareness, service, communication and the ability to handle unexpected situations.

Transport and passenger servicesDraft – pending professional validationVersion 0.1 · last reviewed 2026-10-09
ReadingWritingNumeracyOral communicationDigital skillsCritical thinking

The occupation and work tasks

The occupation includes scheduled routes, school transport and coach tours. Tasks vary between operators.

Typical work tasks

  • Transport passengers safely.
  • Follow route plans and traffic regulations.
  • Monitor traffic conditions and route changes.
  • Assist and inform passengers.
  • Check vehicle condition and report faults.
  • Use relevant digital ticketing and operational systems.
  • Communicate with traffic management and colleagues.
  • Handle delays, deviations and unexpected events.

Developments affecting the occupation

  • Electronic ticketing
  • Digital communication
  • Real-time information
  • Digital vehicle systems

Basic skills in the workplace

Norway officially defines five basic skills. Critical thinking is an additional competence area adopted by Prios. Tasks are typical examples, not mandatory requirements or fixed frequencies.

Understand and use written, visual and digital information needed for safe and efficient transport.

About the skill

Daily tasks

  • Read route plans and schedules.
  • Interpret traffic signs, warnings and instructions.
  • Read traffic updates and operational messages.
  • Interpret vehicle dashboard symbols and messages.

Regular tasks

  • Read updated safety procedures.
  • Understand shift schedules.
  • Read deviation reports and technical notifications.
  • Interpret changes to routes and operating procedures.

Occasional tasks

  • Read instructions for new vehicles or systems.
  • Study relevant regulatory guidance.
  • Read technical manuals and training material.

AI and new technology

Forward-looking competence development – not a description of technology used by every bus operator. AI is not a seventh basic skill.

AI and automated systems may become increasingly important in the transport sector. For bus drivers, relevant competence mainly involves understanding digital systems, evaluating information and using decision support safely and responsibly.

Using AI tools

Practical use of tools that may suggest routes or summarise messages, where the operator provides them.

Understanding automated systems

Knowing that real-time, monitoring and planning systems rely on data and rules that can fail.

Evaluating recommendations critically

Checking automated advice against authorised sources before acting.

1. Automated route planning and traffic information

Example: A system suggests a diversion. How does the driver know the suggestion is approved?

2. Intelligent vehicle monitoring and maintenance information

Example: The vehicle warns of a possible fault. The warning is followed up according to company procedures.

3. Traffic predictions and digital decision support

Example: A forecast predicts congestion in ten minutes. A forecast is an estimate, not a fact.

4. Evaluating automated or AI-generated information

Example: An AI summary of an operational message omits an important detail. Read the original.

Suggested learning outcomes

  • Recognise that automated recommendations may be incorrect or incomplete.
  • Evaluate information before acting.
  • Check important information against authorised sources.
  • Understand when to contact traffic management.
  • Protect personal and sensitive information.

Teaching cases

Unexpected route change

A road is closed and the route must change. Learners interpret an operational message, estimate a new arrival time and inform passengers.

ReadingNumeracyOral communicationDigital skillsCritical thinking
Open case

Reporting a technical issue

A warning appears on the dashboard. Learners interpret it, find the instruction and write a clear deviation report.

ReadingWritingDigital skillsCritical thinking
Open case

Can we trust the information?

The driver receives conflicting information about a possible road closure. Learners assess sources, credibility and an AI-generated recommendation.

Critical thinkingReadingDigital skills
Open case

Related resources

External link

External resources

Occupational basic skills profiles

Explore how basic skills are used in different occupations.

HK-dirNO
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

Read and understand a route change

A practical reading exercise from a bus driver’s working day.

ReadingOral communication
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

Calculate a new arrival time

Practise time, delays and simple calculations.

Numeracy
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Templates and checklists

Write a clear incident report

From a spoken message to a short digital report.

WritingDigital skillsOral communication
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

The passenger conversation

Role play about delays, questions and clear messages.

Oral communicationNorwegian as a second language
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Guide

Digital learning resources

Using digital forms safely

Practise forms, checking and privacy without real personal data.

Digital skillsWriting
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

A message for the next shift

Practise short, precise messages in a warehouse or shop.

WritingReading
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

Check the source before sharing

Source criticism online: check sender, date and purpose before using or sharing information.

Digital skillsCritical thinkingReading
#Source criticism and information evaluation#Media literacy
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Digital learning resources

Check the AI answer

Evaluate whether AI-generated information is correct and relevant before using it at work.

Critical thinkingDigital skillsReading
#Digital judgement#Source criticism and information evaluation
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource
Exercise

Teaching activities

Deviation: which information do you trust?

Problem-solving in industry: weigh several sources before deciding how to handle a deviation.

Critical thinkingOral communicationNumeracy
#Problem-solving and decision-making#Reflection and independent judgement
Teaching example from PriosNO / EN
Open resource

How to use this profile when planning teaching

The occupational profile provides examples of how basic skills are used in a bus driver's working life. Use it to identify learning needs, select learning objectives and develop workplace-oriented teaching activities.

  1. 1

    Identify needs

    Identify work tasks relevant to your participants. Discuss actual competence needs with participants and the employer.

  2. 2

    Select skills

    Choose the basic skills that matter most for those tasks.

  3. 3

    Define learning objectives

    Write concrete objectives that can be applied at work.

  4. 4

    Choose tasks and cases

    Use workplace-based exercises and teaching cases from the profile.

  5. 5

    Adapt the teaching

    Adapt activities to participants' experience and skill levels.

  6. 6

    Evaluate learning outcomes

    Evaluate whether participants can apply the skills in their work.

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