The lack of profiles to fill job positions in professional driving is already a reality that concerns the sector more and more. Ensuring the viability of the profession is fundamental for both road passenger transport and freight transport to have their future secured. The latter highlighted its relevance during the pandemic, being declared an essential service, and the former is basic to guarantee the mobility and competitiveness of the country.
Many companies in the road passenger transport sector, which manage fleets of buses and coaches, are facing the challenge of generational change. And we, at Grupo Castrosua, as a company focused on offering transport solutions to these firms, share their concern.
Average age
According to data from the National Association of Coach Transport (ANETRA), the average age of bus drivers in Spain is 49 years old. With many of them about to retire, a trend is perceived: the lack of interest from new generations in joining this profession.
Many autonomous communities, aware of this situation, have launched specific measures to encourage young people to join the sector. For example, at the end of last year, the Balearic Government allocated one million euros to develop initiatives for the training of new drivers, a decision that was applauded by the Assembly of the Discretionary Passenger and Tourist Coach Service held at the headquarters of the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands (CAEB).
It is not the only Spanish autonomous community that has launched aid for this purpose. Communities such as Galicia, Cantabria, or La Rioja have activated similar measures. The Xunta de Galicia, for example, is one of the most active regional bodies in this line of subsidies. The last call, which closed in October last year with a budget of more than 760,000 euros, provided aid of up to 1,300 euros for those interested in obtaining the D license, for buses.
Requirements to drive a bus in Spain
But what are the requirements to be able to drive a bus or coach in Spain? Many people believe that obtaining a type D driving license is sufficient.
However, at Grupo Castrosua, we want to clarify that other requirements must also be met to be able to sit behind the wheel of this type of vehicle.
Obtaining the D license is the first and most fundamental premise. It authorizes the driving of vehicles with more than eight seats, in addition to the driver. Those who wish to obtain it must first possess a type B driving license with more than five years of seniority.
In addition, to obtain the D license, you must be 23 years old and pass three exams: one theoretical and two practical. (The law reduces the age by two years – 21 years old – for those who obtain the D license through the accelerated initial qualification modality and wish to engage in passenger transport on regular routes, whose journey does not exceed 50 km).
Buses without passengers
The legislation in our country – Royal Decree of the General Regulations for Drivers of 2009 – also establishes that within national territory, buses can be driven at 18 years of age if the vehicles have no passengers. It should also be noted that the D1 license allows driving vehicles designed and constructed for the transport of no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and whose length does not exceed eight meters.
The validity of the D license is five years until the age of 65 or three years thereafter. The duration of this type of permit or driving license may be reduced if the holder suffers from any illness or deficiency.
CAP
It is also essential to have the so-called Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP), a requirement that was introduced in 2008. The CAP can be obtained by taking a course at one of the approved centers available in the country for this purpose. This course has an initial duration of 130 theoretical hours and 10 practical hours.
In addition, every five years, drivers must update their qualifications. That is, continuous training is mandatory, and the law imposes refresher courses of 35 hours every five years.
The conditions do not end there. Driving a school bus also requires drivers to have no criminal record for sexual offenses, and to prove this, they must present a certificate stating this premise, issued by the Ministry of Justice.
A living and dynamic sector
If you have read this far and are interested in joining the road passenger transport sector as a professional driver, find out about all the aid available in your community to encourage your vocation. At Grupo Castrosua, we encourage you to do so and to contribute with your work to keep this sector alive and dynamic, as it is fundamental for the future of our country.
But it is not only public administrations that are implementing aid to encourage professional drivers to join the road passenger transport sector. Various companies have also launched measures in this direction.
One of the most notable examples is Alsa, which offers free courses in different parts of Spain for unemployed people who want to orient their profession towards this sector, with the added benefit that those who complete the courses have opportunities to access employment within the company. One of the latest cities where Alsa has launched this initiative is Gijón.
Do you think the existing measures are sufficient to encourage professional driving in Spain? What would you propose? Share your proposals and comments with us!
