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PCV (bus) drivers with aspergers?

o_NXWM_o

Hi all, I'm wondering if there is anybody out there who would be able to put my mind to rest. I have aspergers syndrome, OCD and tick disorder. I'd love for nothing more than to become a PCV, bus, driver. I've know from a young age this is the career I'd like to pursue, I've learnt to drive specifically for this reason. Anyhow, I've passed my car test, applied for a trainee PCV vacancy, passed the written assessment, also passed the driving assessment and made it to interview. It wasn't up until the interview stage that I was asked about any disabilities, I've been honest about what I have so now my application has been sent to HR. It's coming up to being four weeks since I went for an interview and I haven't heard anything back yet. Usually I don't really care, it is what it is, I'm calm and get on with life without any issues. This is THE job for me so it's different, I'm on edge awaiting these results. My biggest fear is that the aspergers is going to hold me back and destroy my dream. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't become a bus driver, I really don't. So here's my question, are there any bus drivers out there who have aspergers? Do you know anybody who has any kind of autism who drives buses for a living? Any response would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time. =)

  • Can I ask what the outcome was? Did you get the job? My son has Aspergers and would love to be a bus driver when he’s older. 

  • It would appear that Aspergers is not an issue, if you've passed all medical checks. I've got a provisional PSV/LGV licence entitlement, tho I didn't know I had Aspergers when I applied, tho my mannerisms might have given it away possibly. I did get a letter from the DVLA saying they needed to check with my doctor, tho I think that was higher than normal blood pressure as I felt anxious I think it was about 144/100 , where as normally it's about 120/80. I was inspired to get my HGV licence by Lisa and Mia from Ice Road Truckers and Fiona from Eddie Stobart Trucks and Trailers, tho the issue is funding it, I cant get it whilst on the WRAG/Work Programme, my Mum did offer  to pay tho I'm not sure if she will or won't. Tho she has a neighbour who became an ambulance driver and he has an LGV rather than PSV licence.  I've said to my employment advisor, when I think she was trying to talk me out of LGV/HGV work, I did say ''Is there any way I can go out with a HGV driver to see what they do, tho I think the problem is insurance and I would be prepared to say it's at my own risk.  There are times I sometimes get a little panicky driving, where I think I've missed a turning, or going somewhere new, tho I've successfully negotiated Hereford and Coventry successfully when I haven't been there before. I think the expectation is worse than the actual experience. I don;'t think Aspergers is a barrier to PSV/HGV driving.


    I know over the past 10 years paid enployment has been care/support work, tho at best erratic. I think  other than HGV ( I know as a teen I wanted to be a train driver (unusual for a girlie) or join the RAF, tho did work on the railway from leaving school 'til I was made redundant). After several unnsuccessful attempts to get back on the railway, unless you count railway preservation, I did think that musuem/heritage work is me. I;m waiting to start a job be it voluntary in a museum, and I don't think I've been this excited about work since joining the railway.               

  • Hi o_NXWM_o ,

    I was wondering if you heard back from the HR about bus driver position ?

    Where do you live ?

    k88uk

  • Thank you all for your comments. I've got a feeling I'm going to be waiting a while before I hear anything back as HR seem to be running on snail slime. =\

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    As the others have said, it shouldn't be a problem. They may send you for an Occupational Health asessment to get an medical expert's opinion. The OH assessment shouldn't be an issue but the employer will want to cover themselves because they won't really understand whether it would be a problem or not. They are likely to be quite careful about stopping you at this stage as they won't want to be accused of discriminating against someone with a disability.

    Good luck :-)

  • The fact that you have already passed all of the assessments indicate that your disability is not affecting your ability to drive, so it would seem hard for them to argue that they had not discriminated against you if declaring it now resulted in the loss of the job.  Good luck!

  • Good luck :)  They should not discriminate against you because of Asperger's, that would be illegal under the Equality Act. I don't think there is anything about having Asperger's that would, on its own, compromise your ability to drives buses.

    If you don't get this job, you could find out why they did not hire you. And you can always reapply for other jobs elsewhere, so there should always be other opportunities. But I understand how difficult it is when you want something really badly, and you are not yet sure of the outcome.

    I hope it goes well