Eighteen-Year-Old Becomes Britain's Youngest Double-Decker Bus Driver

While many 18-year-olds are struggling to pass their test and get their hands on a driving licence, one teen from Hull has managed to land herself a job as a double-decker bus driver.

Ellie Rose Houghton, 18, sailed through her PCV bus test - picking up just four minors - and is now regularly driving an 87-seater bus. Pretty impressive.

Ellie managed to pass two theory tests, three practical ones and showcase exams over an eight-week period this summer and is now responsible for driving pupils to and from college and school.

She said: "Just hours after passing my final exams, I was out there ferrying kids home from school.

"It was strange actually driving the older kids because some of the kids were saying 'look at her, I look older than her'.

"I was very scared of that, so I made my dad come with me."

Hull Daily Mail

Being a bus driver was probably a natural choice for Ellie, given that her family run Ellie Rose Travel - a bus and coach company that was named after her.

Ellie Rose Travel has 33 double-decker buses and eight coaches that work on a number of school runs across Hull and Yorkshire. Set up by Ellie's grandmother Shelia and her late grandfather James Houghton. The business is now being run by her dad Shane.

Growing up, Ellie always insisted she wouldn't be a bus driver, but had a change of heart in 2012 when James died, and she decided to take up driving as a tribute.

She added: "After finishing my A-levels, I knew I wanted to work in business, but I knew I didn't want to go to university.

"I was really elated and over the moon to finally pass my bus test.

"The 90-minute practical felt like the longest time in my entire life - it felt like an entire day."

Naturally, coming from a family of bus drivers, her parents were pretty chuffed when Ellie passed.

Shane said: "I remember one time when Ellie was about three years old and was being looked after in the office by my mum and when Ellie was asked her name by a customer she replied 'Ellie Rose Travel'.

"It's great Ellie will be driving buses for us - we are all delighted."

Topics: UK News, Inspirational, Interesting

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19