(11 Dec 2022, 8:52 pm)Unber43 wrote But do GNE own the land which their depots are at (genuine question)?

The land is private hence why you can drive vehicles without a licence, however it doesn't have to be owned by the company in question. The Coach Park at the Metrocentre (as well as other locations) has been used in the past for potential new recruits to have a go at driving a bus (and I know of at least one person who managed to do this without any driving licence whatsoever). It was also used for people under the age of 17 to have a go at driving cars before applying for the Drivers Licence. So, as long as the land is private and permission has been granted, it is possible to drive vehicles without the appropriate road licence.