14 Seat Minibuses

Q: How to apply for a Section 19 Permit?

<div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-27 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-flex-grow-medium:;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-flex-grow-small:;--awb-flex-shrink-small:;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"> You can apply for a Section 19 Permit from the DVSA . The application includes questions on your maintenance arrangements and the category of passenger you are intending to carry.

A 14-seat minibuses (13 passengers plus driver) are slightly smaller than 17-seaters, and suit schools and organisations looking for a smaller bus with a larger capacity.

A 14-seater minibus is large enough for 13 passengers, but is not a ‘full-sized’ minibus that can be daunting to drive.

The Ford Transit is the only 14-seater minibuses on the market, unless you want to commission a conversion with this number of seats.

The 14-seat Ford Transit has a GVW of over 4.25 tonnes and so requires D1 entitlement to drive.

.

Layout of the 14-seat MAXUS eDeliver9 fully electric minibus

What’s included when leasing a 14-seater minibus from Rivervale Minibus

Low initial payment
UK wide delivery
Road fund licence included
Free app and course to help you manage your minibuses

Standard logo and livery
Regular services and MOTs with a fully-maintained contract
Breakdown cover for the term of the contract
A dedicated Account Manager

An introduction to the 14-seat Ford Transit

The Ford Transit 14-seat minibus (410 L3) has all the features that you would expect to find in the full-size 17-seat model, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to help keep the vehicle safer on the road, as well as a touchscreen infotainment system.

For more storage space you have the option of removing two removable seats at the rear of the vehicle.

Rivervale Minibus has the EcoBlue 130ps or 165ps, Leader / Trend / Limited, Automatic & Manual available. There is also the 16-seat all-electric Ford Transit minibus available – this electric option can be driven on a car licence (conditions apply).

Licences required drive a 14-seater minibus

Unlike the Euro 5 Ford transit 14-seat minibus, the Euro 6 version needs D1 entitlement to drive. It is important to note this fact if you are replacing like-for-like.

If you are looking for a Ford Transit that can be driven on a car licence your largest capacity option is the 12-seater Ford Transit, or the 16-seater Ford eTransit.

It is important to check the details and GVW of the minibus you are thinking of leasing/purchasing because the responsibility to ensure your drivers have the correct licence lies with you.

12 Seat Ford Transit Minibus - Blazer Blue

Frequently asked questions about 14-seat minibuses and Section 19 Permits

Can I pay drivers of 14-seat minibuses?Lucy Lavers2026-08-28T22:41:58+00:00

Can I pay drivers of 14-seat minibuses?

Drivers with D1 entitlement can be paid to drive under a Section 19 Permit.

You can not pay drivers (beyond out-of-pocket-expenses) if they are driving minibuses on a standard car licence

Do you need D1 to drive a 14 seat minibus?Lucy Lavers2026-08-28T22:43:59+00:00

Do you need D1 to drive a 14 seat minibus?

You need D1 entitlement to drive a Ford Transit 14-seat minibus as it has a GVW of 4.25 tonnes. You need D1 entitlement to drive a 9-16 passenger diesel vehicle with a GVW over 3.5 tonnes, or GVW 4.25 tonnes for electric vehicles (there is an additional allowance of 750kg for specialist equipment)

There are two types of D1 entitlement.

Full D1 entitlement, where you have completed the D1 theory and practical driving tests. A full D1 is required if you are driving for an organisation with an Operator’s licence
Inherited D1 entitlement. If you passed your driving test before January 1st 1997, you will have D1 (101) on the back of your licence. This means you can drive a 9-16 seat passenger minibus

If drivers have D1 entitlement on their licence, they can be paid to drive under a Section 19 Permit.

Do you need a Section 19 Permit for a 14-seat minibusLucy Lavers2026-08-28T22:45:09+00:00

Do you need a Section 19 Permit for a 14-seat minibus

If you are running minibuses for hire and reward you need either a PSV Operator’s Licence or a Section 19 Permit.

What vehicle maintenance is required by Section 19 Permit?Lucy Lavers2026-05-28T12:11:08+00:00

What vehicle maintenance is required by Section 19 Permit?

You are required to maintain a roadworthy vehicle under a Section 19 Permit this includes

Regular services as recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer
Annual MOTs from year 1
Minibus Safety Inspections every 6-10 weeks depending on the age of your minibus
Daily or pre-journey walk around checks

You need to keep a rolling 6 month maintenance plan and all records for at least 15 months

Can you borrow a Section 19 Permit?Lucy Lavers2026-05-12T14:52:09+00:00

Can you borrow a Section 19 Permit?

No. Section 19 Permits can only be used by the organisation named on them. If you are lending your minibuses to another organisation, they will need their own Section 19 Permit or PSV Operator’s Licence. It is your responsibility as the vehicle owner to ensure they have the right permits and their drivers have the right licences.

If you are borrowing a minibus from another organisation, you will need to display your Section 19 Permit in the front windscreen. Which is why it is advisable to apply for spares.

How to apply for a Section 19 Permit?Lucy Lavers2026-05-12T14:45:20+00:00

How to apply for a Section 19 Permit?

You can apply for a Section 19 Permit from the DVSA. The application includes questions on your maintenance arrangements and the category of passenger you are intending to carry.

Ongoing costs and maintenance

If you lease a brand new 14-seater minibus with a funder-maintained contract, that will include MOTs, regular services, and breakdown cover, so you will pay a flat- fee per month. If you decide to go for an owner-maintained contract, then you will need to find budget for the maintenance on top of the inital and monthly payments.

Safety Inspections are also required every 6-10 weeks, depending on the age and usage of your minibus.

Recommended training

We recommend that anyone driving a minibus completes regular driving training. This could include MiDAS which is every 4 years, Rivervale’s Minibus Management Course, and some form of practical assessment.

Driver Training Options