Driving minibuses on a car licence
The rules around driving a minibus on a car licence can seem confusing. This article explains who can drive a minibus on a car licence, the circumstances under which this is allowed, and what additional requirements may apply.
A minibus is defined as a vehicle that can carry between 9 and 16 passengers, plus the driver. 8-9 seat minibuses (6-7 passengers plus the driver) can be driven on car licence; no additional training is required.
9- 16 passenger carrying minibuses are used by schools, sports teams, community groups, and businesses for transporting larger groups, but there is confusion as to the conditions under which you can drive a minibus on a car licence because there are varying permits, vehicle weight limits, and types of drivers (paid and unpaid) which affect the licence needed.
Unless you are operating minibuses privately, you will be operating for hire and reward and will need to have either a Section 19 Permit or a PSV Operator’s Licence. This also affects whether you can drive a minibus on a car licence.
Simply put, if you are being paid to drive a minibus, you will need a D1 entitlement on your car driving licence.
D1 entitlement is obtained in one of two ways
- You passed your driving test before Jan 1st 1997 – this is known as inherited D1 entitlement
- You have taken and passed the full D1 driving test.
The conditions for driving minibuses on a car licence WITHOUT D1 entitlement include;
- Operating under a Section 19 Permit
- Journeys must be for social purposes
- Driving a diesel vehicle with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 3.5 tonnes or under, an additional allowance of 750kg is allowed for specialist equipment only
- Driving an electric vehicle with a GVW of 4.25 tonnes or under, an additional allowance of 750kg is allowed for specialist equipment only
- Drivers are over 21
- Having held a car licence for over two years.
- Drivers over 70 years old would have to satisfy the medical requirements of a full D1 licence
- Drivers are not receiving payment (or other consideration) to drive
In conclusion, you can drive a minibus on a standard car licence (with no D1 entitlement) if you meet the conditions detailed in this article, most critically that the organisation holds Section 19 Permits, drivers are not being paid, and the minibuses are under the GVW restrictions.
If you have inherited D1 entitlement, you CAN be paid to drive for an organisation with a Section 19 Permit.
If you are working for a commercial operation that has a PSV Operators Licence, or a restricted licence, instead of a Section 19 Permit, you must have passed the full D1 driving test, and take Driver Certificate Professional Competence training to drive any minibus.
If you’re confused about bus driving licences, then please give our friendly team at Rivervale Minibus a call on 01869 253744 or email minibus@rivervale.co.uk, and they will talk you through all the conditions and help you understand what licence your minibus drivers will need.
