Bus Driver Authority Card

I applied for a Bus Driver Authority Card today. I went to the Ministry of Transport in Parramatta to do this. They will advise Sydney Buses when it is ready.

The last thing to do is to Medium-Ridged Learner’s permit. For this I need to take a computer-based test. I'll need to study first.

Medical Check

I had my medical assessment yesterday. I was not told the results but the doctor didn’t suggest there is any problem.

The assessment was done at Health Services Australia (http://www.healthoz.com.au/) which describes itself as a “Government Business Enterprise”.

I filled out a form which included the usual questions about existing and past illnesses and medical conditions. In addition, there was a section with about 10 questions about my alcohol consumption and another section with 8-10 questions about my sleeping pattern and how often I feel sleepy. One of the questions asked if I had ever fallen asleep while waiting for a red light.

A nurse measured my height and my weight. I did an eye test with and without my glasses. I provided a urine sample (though I had not been asked to not eat anything before). I was not asked for a blood sample.

A doctor took my blood pressure and listened to my heart. He asked me to demonstrate my flexibility of my hands, arms, legs, back and neck. He asked me to stand still with my eyes shut.

The Letter

I received the letter I was told to expect. It sets out the steps required to proceed with my application.

These are the steps:
1) My references (as I identified in my application) will be checked;
2) My criminal history will be checked, as required by the Child Protection Act;
3) I am to under-go a medical assessment by Health Australia. I am required to make an appointment within 48 hours of getting this letter.
4) I need to apply for a Bus Driver Authority Card. This is a photo id of the driver on display in the buses. To get this I must apply to the Ministry of Transport together with my driving record from the Road and Traffic Authority (RTA), proof of Australian citizenship/residency, 2 recent photographs (65mm x 65mm) and a $70 fee.
5) I need to get a Medium-Ridged Learner’s permit. Buses are classified as Medium-Ridged vehicles. To get this I need to pass the MR Knowledge Test. This is a question and answer test of my knowledge of the information in the Road Users’ Handbook (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/2005_12ruh_english.pdf) and the Heavy Vehicle Drivers’ Handbook (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/heavyvehiclehandbook2001.pdf).

A Tentative Offer

I got a phone call from Sydney Buses today offering me a position at the Burwood depot. The tentative start date is Sept 19. It's tentative because there are a number of things which have to happen before they can formally offer me a job. I'll be getting a letter in the next few days describing what these things are.

No, thanks

I phoned the Recruitment Coordinator at Sydney Buses to say I did not want the position at the Port Botany bus depot. I said I would wait for a position at Burwood.