Introduction Minibuses can be hired for self drive or with a driver and are great for transporting a group of friends, family, or a sports team. They will normally hold between 9 and 16 passengers – not including the driver and they are always a great way of getting small groups of people from A to B. They often come in a range of levels – i.e. Standard, Luxury or even VIP.

In order to self drive a minibus in the UK you must be the holder of a full UK driving license with a D1 entitlement. This used to be added onto your license automatically by the DVLA if you took your car test before 1997 but then conditions changed:

The new higher medical standards Providing you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 01/01/1997 you are permitted drive a minibus provided it has a no more then a maximum of up to 17 seats including the driver’s seat and is not being used for hire or reward. The minibus entitlement will remain valid within the UK until your license is next renewed.

Driving a minibus under the permit scheme In order to drive any minibus that has nine or more passenger seats for hire or reward you will normally need a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) entitlement. There are some exceptions (see below). To obtain this will mean meeting much higher medical standards and take an extra driving test. However, if you drive a minibus for an organisation under the minibus or community bus permit scheme you will not need to have the higher PCV entitlements. Should your license does not include a D1 entitlement then you may still be entitled to drive a minibus under certain conditions.

You are normally allowed to drive a minibus with up to 16 passengers providing: i) you drive on behalf of a non commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or payment, unless operating under a permit; ii) you are aged 21and over; iii) you have possessed a car (category B) license for at least 2 years; iv) you are providing your service on a voluntary basis; v) the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes excluding any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers. Minibuses up to 4.25 tonnes will be permitted in certain circumstances. vi) if you are 70 years old and over, you are able to meet the health requirements for driving a vehicle (i.e. minibus) which comes within the D1 class; vii) If you meet these requirements there are two further rules you must act in accordance with: you may not receive any payment you must not tow a trailer (of any size).

Any commercial companies operating in the UK MUST be licensed and registered by VOSA. Hire or reward means any payment in cash or kind made by or on behalf of the passengers that give them the right to be carried in a vehicle. This would also include courtesy transport from a sport centre if you are paying for a course for example

Mark JM Bond is a director of The London Minibus Company. take a look at his web site for more details on Minibus Hire and Coach Hire in the UK and worldwide

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