Section 19 Permits
Allows organisations with charitable or not-for-profit status to run minibuses without a PSV Operator’s Licence
What is a Section 19 Permit?
A Section 19 Permit is a small bus permit (9-16 passengers) and replaces the need for a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) Operator’s Licence.
To operate 9-16 passenger seat minibuses for ‘hire and reward‘, you will need either a Section 19 Permit or a PSV Operators Licence.
- A PSV Operator’s Licence. Licence requires considerable financial reserves, logistical considerations, a qualified transport manager and professionally trained drivers.
- A Section 19 Permit allows charities and not-for-profit organisations to run minibuses for ‘hire and reward’ without the need for a PSV Operator’s licence.
Section 19 permits can be granted by the DVSA, CTA (Community Transport Association) or local authority to charitable or not-for-profit organisations to run their minibuses; they cost around £11 each. The main requirements of the Section 19 Permits are:
- You are not operating minibuses for profit
- You can demonstrate you have systems in place to ensure drivers are trained, and vehicles are roadworthy
Take two minutes to watch our introductory video that includes
- What Section 19 Permits are for
- Who is eligible for a Section 19 Permit
- How you qualify for a Section 19 Permit
- Who you can carry in your minibuses
- How you apply for a Section 19 Permit
- The DVSA’s two requirements of a Section 19 permit
- How to display your permit
- What is required when you lend or borrow minibuses
- The factors affecting who can drive your minibuses
- Where you can get further information on running minibuses under a Section 19 Permit
Section 19 Permits for minibuses
The Section 19 Permit is a small paper disk (with details of your organisation) that needs to be displayed in the front windscreen of each of your minibuses. Much like the old paper tax disks. They are valid for 5 years, and will need to be replaced before they expire.
When applying for Section 19 Permits, you need to ensure you have one for each minibus, and that you apply for spares for vehicles you might rent in the short- term or borrow from another organisation.
You can move Section 19 Permits from vehicle to vehicle, for instance, if one is off the road, but you can not ‘lend’ a permit to another organisation with your minibus. The organisation borrowing the minibus will need their own.
Minibus Maintainence requirements for Section 19 Permits
Under a Section 19 Permits you are required to maintain roadworthy vehicles. This includes:
- Annual MOTs from year 1
- Regular services, as recommended by the manufacturer
- Safety Inspections with brake performance assessments, completed by qualified engineers
- Daily walk-around checks, sometimes called pre-journey checks
- You are required to display a 6-month maintenance plan and keep all records of maintenance and repair for at least 15 months.
Riviervale Minibus can help with all the services listed above. We compete safety inspections on your premises, have a free app for walk-around checks ,and offer MOT drop-off and pick-ups to make your life easier.
Driving a minibus on a car licence under a Section 19 Permit
The licensing requirements for drivers under a Section 19 Permit are less stringent than the PSV Operator’s Licence.
Those with a standard B car licence or with inherited D1 entitlement can drive 9-16 passenger seat vehicles under certain conditions.
- Drivers who passed their test before 1997 will have inherited D1 entitlement on their car licence. This allows them to drive 9-16 passenger minibuses and be paid to do so
- Drivers who passed their test after 1 Jan 1997 can drive 9-16 seat minibuses, provided:
-
- The minibus’ GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is 350kg or under, or 4250kg for electric vehicles. There is an additional allowance of 750kg for specialist equipment only.
- They receive no payment (or other consideration) to drive other than out-of-pocket expenses
- They are over 21
- They have been driving for 2 years
- They do not tow a trailer
- They do not drive abroad
- If they are over 70 years of age, they meet the medical criteria
You are required to regularly train your drivers, and this can be achieved with a combination of MiDAS, online driver assessments and practical driving assessments. All offered by Rivervale Minibus.
10 important things to remember about Section 19 Permits
Frequently Asked Questions
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
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.
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.
Section 19 Permits last for 5 years, then they will need to be replaced. It is important to leave enough time to get replacements (6 months) so that you always have valid Section 19 Permits on display.
A school that is operating minibuses will need either a Section 19 Permit or a PSV Operator’s Licence. If the school has charitable status, or is not-for-profit they can apply for a Section 19 Permit. Commercial organisations, including privately owned schools, nursing homes and activity centres, are not eligible to be granted a Section 19 permit – they will need to apply for a PSV Operator’s Licence.