Carl has just come third in Scania's Australian Bus Driver of the Year competition, a hotly contested event that's held every two years and which this year attracted more than 3000 entries.

His success should come as no surprise though, when you learn the company he works for, Hannafords, is run by his family – his mother was a Hannaford – and he grew up around the sights, smells and sounds of a busy bus depot.

The 31-year-old is a qualified diesel mechanic and has been driving for the company for 10 years.

It was the second time he’d entered the competition, but the first time he made it to the final 12, who battled it out for the title on the Gold Coast.

First, though, the finalists had to get through an online test on road laws and driving regulations, then a phone-based qualifying round. 

Those top 12 then underwent a driving test on the road, accompanied by one of the judges, before a series of manoeuvring and obstacle tests, a 30-question written exam and a media interview.

Carl said it was a thrill to hear his name read out in third place, an accomplishment that earned him a $1000 Shell fuel voucher. 

It’s also fuelled his desire to have another crack at the title in two years’ time.

“The guy who won it this year had entered it three times before,” he said.