Q: What is the salary?
A: These are volunteer opportunities and there is no employee / employer relationship and no salary. (See below for information on expenses below.)

Q: Will I need to undergo a CRB check?
A: Yes. BCT volunteers often come in to contact with young people and vunerable adults. We therefore require all volunteers to undergo an Enhanced CRB check. We meet the costs of the check, and will help you to complete the necessary form. Having a criminal conviction does not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with BCT. If you have a criminal record and would like to talk to us confidentially about this before making a formal request to volunteer for BCT, then please contact us and ask for a confidential chat with our Driver and Training Manager.

Q: Do I need any training?
A: All those that drive BCT minibuses are trained to the national 'MiDAS' driving standard driving standard. BCT provides this training free of charge to those in our Central Pool of volunteer drivers. Drivers also receive practical on-the-job training as well as ongoing support.

Q: Do I need a PSV / PCV licence?
A: No.

Q: Do I need ‘D1’ on my driving licence?
A: Category ‘D1’ is useful as it enables a wider range of vehicles to be driven. Those without category ‘D1’ will be able to drive our minibuses but only the smaller (lighter) vehicles.

Q: Are there any age restrictions?
A: New drivers should have two years driving experience and be aged 21 plus. Additional restrictions apply to those aged over 70; please contact us for details.

Q: I’m only available to drive weekends or evenings. Is that any help to BCT?
A: Yes. We have vehicles operating evenings and weekends, and need volunteer drivers for these trips.

Q: I have some endorsements on my driving licence. Can I still volunteer to drive for BCT?
A: This depends on what the endorsements are, and how long ago. Please telephone our Driver and Training Manager to discuss this.

Q: I’m new to the UK, can I still drive for BCT?
A: We are able to accept certain driving licences in addition to UK ones. You should note, however, than non-UK licences are only valid for 12 months after residing in the UK.

Q: Do I receive expenses?
A: Yes, you will receive reasonable expenses to cover the costs of your getting to and from our depot and also to cover the costs of any meals. With some trips you may also have the opportunity to enjoy the attraction / visit / show etc that was the purpose of the trip.

Q: Is there a uniform?
A: Volunteers are provided with BCT polo-shirts, BCT fleece and a high visibility jacket. The wearing of these items helps to show to our users that we’re a professional organisation. Drivers are also required to wear their MiDAS photo-ID badge.

Q: I’m not a British citizen, does that make any difference?
A: No

Q: Am I covered by insurance?
A: Yes - We have comprehensive insurance for all our vehicles, and also for our volunteers, employees and passengers, as well as public liability insurance.

Q: How will I know where to go?
A: The BCT customer services team will ensure that the driver has full details of the destination(s) and if relevant pick up points. If necessary the driver will be provided with maps or a ‘SatNav’ system. Some groups provide a passenger assistant to help the driver.

Q: How physically fit do I need to be?
A: Many of the volunteering opportunities involve working with wheelchair users, and this can involve pushing wheelchair users on/off vehicle lifts/ramps. Volunteer drivers need a degree of physical fitness to be able to handle this work.

Q: How do I know when I’m needed?
A: Our customer services team aim to match the needs of the users to the availability of volunteer drivers. The members of the pool of volunteer drivers are contacted by BCT when a volunteer driving opportunity arises. There is no obligation to accept any role. We know that some drivers prefer a fixed volunteering commitment and we aim to help with this.
We give as much notice as possible, but sometimes we only receive bookings at short notice.

Q: I’m receiving benefits from the state. Does volunteering impact on my entitlement to benefits?
A: This is a question you will need to refer to JobCentrePlus (or other organisation providing benefits). It may be useful to read the JobCentrePlus leaflet entitled ‘Volunteering while getting benefits’.

Q: Do I need experience of driving large vehicles, or working with not-for-profit organisations?
A: Experience would be helpful, but is not required. Volunteers also gain experience during their initial familiarisation period where they shadow one of our experienced drivers.

Q: What sort of vehicle will I be driving?
A: There are currently 34 vehicles in the BCT fleet. Seating capacity varies from a car, to 16 passengers plus driver. The majority of vehicles have a passenger lift or ramp to help with carrying wheelchair users.

Q: How long is a typical journey?
A: The type of driving job varies significantly. Some trips are short distances, and some can be driving as far as London, Devon etc. Some trips involve a door-to-door service whilst others are one pick up of passengers, and one drop off of passengers. Whilst other trips involve picking up passengers from a series of home addresses, taking them to their destination, and then returning them to their home again. Some drivers prefer different types of driving job, and the type of trip is explained when the driver is asked if they’re available for a job.
Q: Is there any regular driving roles?
A: Some BCT member groups have a regular need for a driver. Where there is a regular need for a driver, then we prefer to allocate the same driver (this suits both the driver and the group).

Q: I have a full-time or part-time job. How does volunteering for BCT impact on the Working Time Directive?
A: The provisions of the Working Time Directive (i.e. the maximum hours you can work each week) refer to workers. Volunteering is not regarded as working, and so does not impact on maximum working hours.

Q: What if I breakdown, have an accident, have a problem etc etc?
A: All our vehicles are covered by comprehensive breakdown cover. As part of the driver training, each driver receives details on breakdown cover, puncture cover etc etc and is also provided with details of how to contact BCT over a weekend.

Q: Do I need a CRB check?
A: Yes. We work with children and vulnerable adults. All our drivers are required to submit to an Enhanced CRB check. Those with a conviction will not necessarily be excluded from volunteering with BCT; each declaration is considered on a case-by-case basis. Our priority, however, is to ensure that our passengers are not exposed to an unacceptable level of risk.

Q: Where can I find out more?
A: Please call us on 0117 902 0157 or e-mail office@bristolcommunitytransport.org.uk if you have any query that we’ve not answered. If you prefer, you can make an appointment for an informal chat to discuss volunteering.

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