The Thank You Emote Works on Any NPC Bus Driver

To thank a bus driver in Fortnite on PC, stand near the bus driver NPC and use the Thank You emote. Open your emote wheel by pressing E (or whatever key you have bound to emotes), find the Thank You emote in your list, and select it while facing the driver. The emote plays automatically, and the driver will acknowledge you.

The bus driver appears at the Battle Bus stop at the start of each match and also drives the Loot Bus that travels across the map during the match. You can thank either version — the mechanic works the same way. The Thank You emote is a standard emote that you may already own; if you do not have it in your locker, you can purchase it from the Item Shop when it rotates in.

Key Takeaways

  • Press E to open the emote wheel, then select Thank You while standing near the bus driver.
  • The Thank You emote must be in your locker; if you do not own it, purchase it from the Item Shop.
  • You can thank the driver at the starting Battle Bus or the Loot Bus that moves across the map during play.
  • The emote plays for a few seconds and the driver will respond with a gesture or sound.

Finding the Thank You Emote in Your Locker

Open Fortnite and go to the Locker from the main menu. Navigate to the Emotes section and search for "Thank You" in the list. If it appears with a checkmark or is highlighted, you already own it. If it shows a price tag, you will need to purchase it from the Item Shop instead.

The Thank You emote is a common emote that rotates through the Item Shop regularly. Check the Shop tab on the main menu to see if it is currently available for purchase. Emotes typically cost between 200 and 500 V-Bucks depending on rarity. Once you own it, it stays in your locker permanently.

Binding Emotes to Your PC Controls

By default, pressing E opens the emote wheel on PC. If you have changed your keybinds, check your settings to confirm which key opens emotes. Go to Settings > Keybinds > Emotes and look for the binding labeled "Emote Wheel" or "Open Emotes."

You can also bind individual emotes to specific keys so they play without opening the wheel. In the same Keybinds menu, scroll to the emote slots and assign each one to a key you choose. This is faster if you use the same emote repeatedly, but for a one-time thank you, the wheel is simpler.

Timing: When to Stand Near the Bus Driver

The easiest time to thank the driver is right after you land at the start of the match. Jump from the Battle Bus, land near the bus stop location on the map, and the driver will be standing there. Walk up to them, open your emote wheel, and select Thank You.

If you miss the starting driver, you can also thank the Loot Bus driver. This bus travels a set path across the map during the match and stops at certain locations. When it arrives, the driver stands outside the bus. Land near it, approach the driver, and use the emote the same way.

What Happens After You Thank the Driver

When you use the Thank You emote near the bus driver, the driver will respond with their own gesture or sound effect. Different drivers have different reactions — some wave back, others give a thumbs up, and some make a voice line. The interaction is purely cosmetic and does not affect gameplay or give you any items or advantages.

The emote takes about three to five seconds to play. During this time you are standing still, so make sure you are in a safe area away from other players. Thanking the driver is a fun way to interact with the world, but it does not protect you from combat.

Troubleshooting: Emote Wheel Not Opening

If pressing E does not open the emote wheel, check your keybinds first. Go to Settings > Keybinds and search for "Emote." Make sure the key is bound to something you can actually press — if it is bound to a key you do not have or a key that conflicts with another action, rebind it to E or another comfortable key.

If the wheel still does not appear, restart Fortnite. Sometimes keybind changes do not take effect until you close and reopen the game. If you are in a match when you change keybinds, return to the main menu and start a new match for the changes to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to own the Thank You emote to thank the driver?

Yes, you must own the Thank You emote to use it. If you do not have it, purchase it from the Item Shop. Other emotes will not trigger the bus driver interaction — it has to be the specific Thank You emote.

Can I thank the bus driver on mobile or console?

Yes, the mechanic works on all platforms. On console, open the emote wheel using the button for your controller (usually a shoulder button), then select Thank You. On mobile, tap the emote icon and choose Thank You from the menu.

Does thanking the bus driver give me any reward or achievement?

No, thanking the driver is a cosmetic interaction with no gameplay reward. It does not count toward any challenge or unlock anything. It is purely for fun and roleplay.

What if the bus driver does not respond?

The driver should respond if you are close enough and facing them. Make sure you are standing within a few feet of the driver and that your emote actually played. If the emote did not play, check that the Thank You emote is in your locker and that your keybind is set correctly.