Education · 1 of 5

The path

One of the fastest routes to a pension in this country.

1. 1

   Get a full car licence and a clean record

   Before you start

   Job Bank says employers want about a year of safe driving experience, and they check your driving abstract.

2. 2

   Meet the minimum age

   Age 18 or older

   You must be 18 or older to hold a commercial class licence in Ontario. Many transit systems want 21.

3. 3

   Upgrade your licence

   4 to 8 weeks

   In Ontario that is a Class B, C, E or F licence depending on the size of the bus and whether it is a school bus. Every other province uses a Class 2 licence. An air brake endorsement is usually needed too.

4. 4

   Pass the medical and the tests

   Weeks

   A doctor confirms you are fit to drive commercially, then you write the knowledge test and take a road test in a bus.

5. 5

   Get hired and do company training

   1 to 3 months

   Job Bank says employers usually give up to three months of on the job training, including classroom time, before you take a route alone.