SOC 2020 unit group 8212

8212 Bus and coach drivers

Unit group 8212 in the ONS Standard Occupational Classification 2020, with the line the Appendix Skilled Occupations gives it. Not immigration advice.

ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1: file dated 27 August 2026, version V13 · Appendix Skilled Occupations: figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked against the 8 October 2026 page on 26 October 2026 (unchanged)

In short

  • ONS unit group 8212, in minor group 821 (Road transport drivers) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
  • Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
  • Going rate as the tables print it:

    What the ONS says

    Description

    Bus and coach drivers drive road passenger-carrying vehicles such as buses, coaches and mini-buses.

    Typical entry routes

    There are no formal academic entry requirements, though candidates must be in possession of a full car driving licence. All bus and coach drivers are required to hold the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This incorporates a theoretical examination and assessed driving. Entrants to the CPC test must be at least 18 years old. NVQs/SVQs in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving are available at level 2.

    Tasks

    • checks tyres, brakes, lights, oil, water and fuel levels and general condition of the vehicle before start of journey
    • drives single- and double-decked vehicle over pre-determined route, complying with traffic regulations and keeping to time schedule
    • stops and opens and closes doors at pre-arranged places to allow passengers to board and alight, observing regulations concerning the number of passengers carried
    • may collect fares from passengers and issue tickets or ensure that they use a ticket machine
    • may plan routes in conjunction with private hirer and assist with loading and unloading of luggage
    • balances cash taken with tickets sold and may be responsible for cleanliness of vehicle
    • maintains records of journey times, mileage and hours worked

    Related job titles

    • Bus driver
    • Coach driver
    • Coach operator
    • Minibus driver
    • PSV driver

    What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

    The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

    Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes

    SOC 2020 occupation code
    8212 Bus and coach drivers
    Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)
    • Bus driver
    • Coach driver
    • Coach operator
    • Minibus driver
    • PSV driver

    Other unit groups in minor group 821

    Sources

    Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

    All 412 occupation codes

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