Licence badge; Licence badge, as issued to stage driver and conductor animal power 383, 1909

From 1838, bus drivers and conductors had to have a licence to work. This early 20th-century licence badge is for the driver and conductor of a horse bus (horse buses were still in use until 1914). The conductor had to wear his licence number on a badge, which was generally attached to his jacket by a leather strap. The conductor's job was to collect the fares and keep the vehicle as full as possible. In the early days some staff would try to poach passengers from their rivals, and there were complaints from the public about their behaviour. As a result, the licensing system was introduced in 1838. Drivers and conductors were legally required to be licensed and wear numbered badges. This requirement continued until 1980.