Ellie's coach driving dream comes true

From asking questions on the school run to passing her coach driving test first time, this is the inspiring story of one young girl's journey into the coach industry.

For many people, the daily journey to school is simply part of growing up. For one young Royal Motorways team member, however, those school journeys were the beginning of a lifelong ambition.

Around nine years ago, Ellie O’Hanlon first started travelling to school on a Dudley's coach. While most students were simply focused on getting to and from school, she was fascinated by the coaches themselves. Every journey became an opportunity to speak with the drivers, asking questions about the vehicles they drove and the work they carried out each day. Those conversations sparked a genuine passion for the coach industry that has continued ever since.

When Dudley's sadly ceased trading, Royal Motorways took over the school service she travelled on. Many of the former Dudley's drivers and coaches continued operating the route, along with the professionalism and values that had made the company so well respected. Seeing that transition only strengthened her desire to one day work within the industry.

In 2023, while still at high school, she completed a week's work experience with Royal Motorways. During her placement, she gained a valuable insight into the planning and organisation required to keep a busy coach operation running efficiently.

Working closely alongside then Transport Manager Luke Smith, she developed an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work involved in coordinating vehicles, drivers and customer requirements. Luke's enthusiasm and willingness to share his knowledge made a lasting impression, with many of the lessons learned during that week still proving useful today.

The highlight of the placement came at the end of the week when she was given the unforgettable opportunity to drive a Van Hool T8 DAF around a local airfield. At just 14 years old, it was her very first experience behind the wheel of a coach—an experience that only strengthened her determination to pursue a career in the industry.

Ellie on Work Experience 2023

Two years later, while studying for her A-levels, Ellie returned to Royal Motorways for a second work experience placement. This time, her focus shifted towards the office, where she learned how to take bookings for day trips, prepare quotations and deal directly with customer enquiries over the phone. Her enthusiasm and commitment impressed the team so much that, following the placement, she was offered a part-time position in the office, working two days each week alongside her studies.

Since joining the business, Ellie has helped plan future day trips, helped with important compliance documentation, supported customers over the phone and gained valuable experience in customer service. The role has provided her with a greater understanding of the business as a whole while preparing her for her future behind the wheel.

After passing her car driving test in October 2025 and turning 18 in February this year, Ellie wasted no time in applying for her provisional coach licence. Once her A-level examinations had finished in June, she began gaining valuable driving experience by carrying out supervised practice runs on local school services and moving vehicles around in the yard.

Driver Training 2026

She also spent time driving with Royal Motorways driver Darren, formerly a driver trainer at First Bus, who helped her develop the core skills and confidence needed before attending an intensive week's training with Tyler Training.

The hard work paid off on 3rd August when she travelled to Bristol to take her practical coach driving test. Despite never having driven in Bristol before and understandably feeling nervous, Ellie passed first time - a moment she describes as both unforgettable and surreal after dreaming about becoming a coach driver for so many years.

Throughout her journey, Royal Motorways’ Managing Director, George provided unwavering encouragement, with the company generously funding every aspect of her coach training and test, commenting, ‘At Royal Motorways, we're incredibly proud to have supported Ellie from work experience student to qualified coach driver, and I am so pleased with her achievement. She has a genuine passion for the industry, and we look forward to seeing her develop as a valued member of the Royal Motorways team.’

Ellie with her Pass Certificate, August 2026

Ellie is also keen to acknowledge Mr Chris Dudley, whose company first inspired her love of coaches, along with the many Dudley's drivers who patiently answered countless questions from an enthusiastic schoolgirl on her daily journey to and from school.

Today, Ellie combines her office responsibilities with life as a qualified coach driver - a milestone that represents years of dedication, learning and determination.

Her story is a reminder that careers in the coach industry can begin in the most unexpected way. Sometimes, all it takes is a school journey, a few conversations with friendly drivers and passion that never fades.