Training
Bus / Coach License
Category D for buses and coaches, D1 for minibuses up to 16 seats: become a passenger transport driver. FIMO Passengers training included, CPF, France Travail or OPCO funding depending on your status. Medical exam and professional certification supported. Free quote, 48h callback, no commitment.
The essentials
The French bus license covers two categories: Class D for buses and coaches over 9 seats (from age 24, or 21 with the FIMO), and Class D1 for minibuses up to 16 seats (from age 21). Training costs EUR 3,500 to EUR 5,500 for the D license, FIMO Passengers included, and can be fully funded by France Travail, the CPF or an OPCO depending on your status. Medical exam by an approved doctor is mandatory before registration.
Everything about the bus / coach license
The French bus and coach license - categories D and D1 - opens the door to a passionate and in-demand profession: passenger transport driver. With over 10,000 unfilled job offers every year in France, this sector recruits at all levels, from school transport to luxury tourism. The D license allows driving all buses and coaches over 9 seats, without passenger limit, from age 24. The D1 license, more accessible from age 21, is limited to minibuses of 9 to 16 passengers. Additionally, the FIMO Passengers training (140h) is mandatory to practice professionally as a coach driver. DevisPermis compares Qualiopi-certified bus license training centres, with CPF via Mon Compte Formation, France Travail (AIF, POEI), OPCO Mobilités or Region funding for often very low out-of-pocket costs.
Class D (coach 9+ seats, 24+)
- Bus license D: drive all buses and coaches over 9 seats, no passenger limit, no vehicle length limit.
- Minimum age 24 in the standard path, or 21 with the FIMO Passengers (mandatory 140h initial training).
- High-demand sector: transport companies are hiring nationwide, often with guaranteed job at the end of coach license training.
- Attractive coach driver starting salary: €1,800 to €2,400 net depending on seniority, with bonuses for night and Sunday work.
Class D1 (minibus 16 seats, 21+)
- D1 license: minibuses of 9 to 16 passengers maximum, length ≤ 8 metres, ideal for school transport and shuttles.
- Accessible from age 21 without prior experience required, shorter and cheaper training than the D license.
- Audience: jobseekers retraining, HGV drivers (C/CE) diversifying, candidates aged 18 via Titre Pro CTCR.
- Employees in career progression within the transport and logistics sector (delivery, warehouse staff moving to passenger transport).
Mandatory FIMO Passengers training (140h)
- Mandatory medical check with a prefecture-approved doctor (Heavy Group D aptitude).
- Bus license theory: specific large-vehicle code (60 questions, 80% pass mark minimum).
- Practical training: minimum 35h (off-road + on-road on category vehicle).
- Skills-area exam (manoeuvres, checks) then road exam (60 min on varied routes).
- FIMO Passengers afterwards (140h) to practice as a professional coach driver, renewed every 5 years (FCO 35h).
Bus license price and CPF / AIF financing
- D license alone price: roughly €2,800 to €4,000; coach license D + FIMO Passengers: €3,500 to €5,500 depending on the centre.
- CPF financing via Mon Compte Formation: the bus license and FIMO Passengers are eligible to mobilise your training rights.
- AIF France Travail (Individual Training Aid): up to 100% coverage possible for jobseekers with a validated project.
- OPCO Mobilités, POEI (operational pre-hire training) and Regions complete the financing for employees retraining.
- Check the coach license centre is Qualiopi-certified: mandatory to mobilise CPF, France Travail (AIF) or OPCO funding.
Bus / Coach License courses available
2 courses01
Choose your course
Select the training that fits your project and profile.
02
Receive your quote
Answer 5 questions in 2 minutes. An advisor calls you back within 48h*.
03
Start your training
Enrol in the nearest partner driving school.
*Excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a D and D1 license?
The D1 license is limited to vehicles carrying 9 to 16 passengers (minibuses, ≤ 8 m) and is available from age 21. The full D license has no passenger limit and covers coaches and city buses, usually from age 24.
Is the FIMO certification mandatory after the D license?
No, the D license alone is enough for personal or occasional driving. The FIMO Voyageurs (140h) becomes mandatory to work professionally as a bus or coach driver.
Can the bus license be funded by the CPF?
Yes. Both the D license and the FIMO Voyageurs are eligible for CPF funding via Mon Compte Formation. France Travail, transport OPCOs and French regions also offer aid for jobseekers and career changers.
How much does a D license cost in France?
The D license alone costs between €2800 and €4000; the FIMO Voyageurs adds around €2,500 to €3,500. The full package (D + FIMO) is often 100% covered by CPF or Pôle Emploi within a professional project.
How long does D-license training last?
Count 4 to 8 weeks depending on the pace (continuous or alternating). An intensive continuous training lasts about 5 weeks for the D alone, 10 weeks for the full D + FIMO Voyageurs path.
Is a specific medical check required?
Yes, mandatory. Done by a prefecture-approved doctor and costs around €36. Renewed every 5 years up to age 60, then every 2 years. Some conditions (epilepsy, severe vision issues) may be incompatible.
What is a bus driver’s salary?
A junior driver earns about €1,800 to €2,000 net per month. With experience and bonuses (night, Sunday, split shifts), this rises to €2,300 to €2,800 net. Luxury coach drivers can exceed €3,000 net.
Can I get the D license at 18?
Yes, via the Titre Professionnel de Conducteur de Transport en Commun sur Route (CTCR), accessible from age 18. It combines D license + FIMO in a single 3 to 6 month integrated path, CPF and Pôle Emploi eligible.
What is the difference between school transport and regular routes?
School transport runs at fixed hours (mornings, evenings, Wednesdays) and suits part-time or retirees. Regular routes (urban, inter-urban) demand more availability but offer higher pay and benefits. Both require D license and FIMO.
Is the FIMO hard to obtain?
The FIMO Voyageurs pass rate is around 90%. Training is highly professional with social regulations, safety, eco-driving and passenger relations. It requires rigour and diligence but is accessible with a good training centre.