Apply for a bus driver authority

Introduction

To drive a public passenger bus or coach that seats 13 or more people, you must have a bus driver authority from Transport for NSW.

You can apply for a bus driver authority online.

Interstate and New Zealand licence holders

If you hold an interstate or New Zealand bus driver authority you may be able to apply for a Bus Driver Authority under Mutual Recognition.

If you hold an interstate bus driver authority and are a resident of another Australian state or territory you may be able to work temporarily in NSW under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).

Eligibility

You must be:

• the holder of a current Australian driver licence and
  • aged 20 years or over, and held a full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence for at least 12 months during the last 2 years, or
  • aged 25 years or over and held a current Australian driver licence (not including a learner licence), for at least 3 years during the last 4 years
• a safe driver (Transport for NSW will assess your driving record when processing your application)
• medically fit to drive
• a fit and proper person to hold a bus driver authority – PDF.

What you need

To apply for a bus driver authority you need:

• a commercial medical assessment (completed no more than 6 months ago)
  It is very important that your doctor:
  • submits your assessment online directly to Transport for NSW
  • selects the option that the assessment is for the purpose of driving public passenger vehicles, otherwise your medical assessment and application may be delayed.
    Note: You must wait at least 72 hours after your medical assessment before submitting your driver authority application.
• a National Police check issued no more than 3 months before making this application
  Note: Your Police check must include all current and former names.
• evidence that you have successfully completed the required bus driver training course
  Note: You can submit your application before you complete the course, but Transport for NSW will not issue your bus driver authority until they receive this evidence.
• a copy of your driver licence front and back (scanned as a PDF)
  Note: If you do not have a valid NSW driver licence you need to upload a digital photo of yourself
• a secondary proof of identity document (if you hold an interstate driver licence)
• a valid email address (to receive your confirmation email).

Interstate or overseas driver licence history

If you held an interstate or overseas driver licence in the last 5 years, you need a copy of your licence history and traffic record from the relevant authority for each licence held.

Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified copy of an official English translation from:

• Multicultural NSW or
• the Department of Home Affairs Translating and Interpreting Service.

Medical assessment status

If you submit your application online before Transport for NSW has updated or received your commercial medical assessment you will get a warning that your application will be refused.

To check the status of your medical assessment you can call 02 8848 8700 (option 3).

How to apply

Check which web browsers you can use.

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Complete the application requirements.
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
   You cannot save and resume your application once you have started. If you do not complete your application in one go, you will have to start again later.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Upload your documents.
6. Submit your application.

What happens next

You'll receive a confirmation message via email. If you do not receive the email within 30 minutes call 02 8848 8700.

After Transport for NSW receives your application, they will respond within 10 working days. If you have not had a response in that time, call 02 8848 8700.

Fees and payment

There is currently no fee to apply for a new Bus Driver Authority.

• The fee waiver for new Bus Driver Authority applications has been extended until 31 July 2027.
• The fee waiver was introduced on 1 August 2023 by the NSW Government to help boost bus driver numbers in NSW.

Visit Transport for NSW for fees for bus drivers and operators.

Web browser requirements

To apply online, use the current version of one of these web browsers: