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Cover letter examples · Transport

Bus Driver cover letter example

Bus companies read a driver's letter for the licence and endorsement, on-time running and how you treat passengers. This example is from the same driver as our CV example, applying for a senior driver role, and every fact in it comes from his CV.

Goes with Siaosi Latu's Bus Driver CV · Checked

Free. Then compare it with a real Bus Driver job ad.

The letter

What each paragraph is doing.

Siaosi Latu is made up, and so is Wiri Coachlines, Manukau. Every fact in the letter comes from Siaosi's CV, the way a real one should: nothing new, just the parts of the CV this job cares about most.

Siaosi Latu

Manukau, Auckland · 022 555 0256 · siaosi.latu@email.com

Paul Sefo, Operations Supervisor

Wiri Coachlines, Manukau

Re: Senior Bus Driver and Buddy Trainer

Kia ora Paul,

I'm applying for the Senior Bus Driver and Buddy Trainer role. I have seven years on Auckland urban routes with Tāmaki Link Buses, driving through Manukau, Papatoetoe and Ōtāhuhu and carrying up to 600 passengers a shift, after three years driving a Class 2 delivery truck.

Your ad asks for a driver who runs on time, looks after passengers and can help new drivers settle in. I keep on-time running above 95% on some of the depot's busiest routes. I help passengers using wheelchairs, walkers and prams on board with the ramp and kneeling function, and I've received nine written compliments from passengers and no upheld complaints in seven years. As a buddy driver I've trained six new drivers on the depot's routes, which is the part of the job I'd like to do more of.

I know the roads and communities of south Auckland well, and I speak English and Tongan, which often helps on board. A role that combines driving with training new drivers is the next step I'm looking for, and I'd like to take it here in south Auckland.

I hold a Class 2 licence with a P endorsement and a clean record. I'm happy to do a driving assessment whenever suits, and thank you for considering me.

Ngā mihi,

Siaosi Latu

  1. 1Opens with the routes and the scaleYears of experience, the suburbs he drives and passengers a shift show straight away that he can handle busy urban work.
  2. 2Punctuality, passengers and trainingEach part of the ad is answered with proof: an on-time figure, accessibility help and compliments, and the number of drivers he's trained.
  3. 3Local knowledge and languageKnowing the area and speaking a second language are real advantages on south Auckland routes, and they give a believable reason for the move.
  4. 4Licence, record and an offerThe P endorsement is essential for the job, so it's stated plainly, and offering a driving assessment fits how bus companies hire.

Opening lines

Other ways to open.

The first line decides whether the rest gets read. Each of these names the job and leads with proof. Swap in your own facts.

  • “I'm applying for your Bus Driver role, with seven years on Auckland urban routes and a Class 2 licence with a P endorsement.”
  • “I keep on-time running above 95% on some of my depot's busiest routes, and I'd like to bring that to your school and urban services.”
  • “Having trained six new drivers as a buddy driver, I'm applying for your Driver Trainer role.”
  • “I'm applying for the Bus Driver role, with nine written compliments from passengers and no upheld complaints in seven years.”

Common mistakes

What gets bus driver letters skipped.

For the layout, the greeting and a template to start from, see our guide to writing a cover letter for New Zealand jobs.

  • Leaving out the P endorsement.

    Say you hold a Class 2 licence with a P endorsement in the first or last paragraph. Without it, you can't carry passengers.

  • Only talking about driving.

    Passenger care matters just as much. Mention helping people with mobility needs, compliments you've received or how you handle difficult situations.

  • Saying you're punctual without a number.

    Give your on-time running rate if your depot tracks it, and say what kind of routes you drive.

Write yours

A letter like this, for every job ad.

Paste a bus driver job ad into SmartCVs and it writes your cover letter alongside your tailored CV. The free plan gives you 3 job scans a week, each with both.

How cover letters work in SmartCVs
  • Written in the same step as your tailored CV, from your profile and the job ad
  • Three or four paragraphs, in plain, professional language
  • Every fact from your profile: a number your profile doesn't have is dropped before you see it
  • Edit any line, copy it into an application, or download PDF or Word

Jobs open now

Transport jobs in New Zealand, ready for your CV.

112 open roles, straight from employers' career sites. Apply directly with the employer, and tailor your CV to each bus driver ad before you do.

  • TransportYesterday

    Processing Officer - Forklift

    New Zealand Post · 1001-5000 employees

    A national postal and logistics operator managing a large and diverse fleet.

    Hamilton, Waikato
    $26.75 an hourOnsiteFull timeNo experience needed

    Sorting parcels · Consolidating freight · Dispatching deliveries

    Available Monday-Friday 2:30pm-11:00pm; physically fit to lift up to 25kg; reliable transport; good geographical knowledge; OSH and F endorsement desirable; night shift experience preferred; eligibility to work in New Zealand.

  • Transport20 hours ago

    Vehicle Movement Driver

    Tourism Holdings Limited · 1001-5000 employees

    An iconic tourism destination home to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, offering award-winning visitor experiences.

    Auckland
    OnsiteFull timeSeasonalNo experience needed

    Moving vehicles · Completing changeovers · Conducting stocktakes

    Restricted driver's license or higher required; previous driver experience desirable but not essential; strong attention to detail, communication, and ability to work autonomously or in a team.

  • Transport1 day ago

    Hi-ab and Logistics Operator (12-month fixed term)

    OceanaGold · 1001-5000 employees

    A global intermediate gold and copper producer with four operating mines and a workforce of about 5,400 employees.

    Macraes, Otago
    OnsiteFull timeContractNo experience needed

    Delivering supplies · Removing rubbish · Operating crane

    Requires HT licence, accredited Hi-ab operator ticket, certified handlers licence for explosives or ability to obtain, dangerous goods licence, and current NZ working rights or unrestricted visa.

See all 112 transport jobs

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

Do bus drivers need a cover letter?

Many bus companies accept an application form or CV alone, but a short letter helps when the ad asks for one or when you're applying for a trainer or senior role.

Should I mention passenger compliments?

Yes. Written compliments and no upheld complaints are strong, specific proof of how you treat passengers.

Is it worth mentioning a second language?

Yes, especially on routes where many passengers speak it. It shows you can help people who might otherwise struggle to get where they need to go.

More cover letter examples

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