Driving a minibus

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi folks, looking for some info please.

A cousin of mine just called and asked me if i knew the laws on who can and cant drive one, i told him i wasnt 100% sure but if the pic of the minibus doesnt have dates next to it then i dont think he can drive it!
He passed his test in 02

But he sent me this from Gov.co.uk which confusea it a bit more:

Driving a minibus
You may be able to drive a minibus if you hold a car driving licence and follow certain conditions - otherwise you’ll need to apply for a minibus licence.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You may be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as it’s not for ‘hire or reward’ - ie there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers.

You held a driving licence before 1 January 1997

You can drive a minibus in the UK and on temporary visits abroad.

When your car licence is next renewed at the age of 70, you’ll need to re-apply for your entitlement and meet higher medical standards.

You’ll need to order and complete a D2 application form and complete a D4 medical examination report. There’s also D4 guidance notes.

You got your driving licence after 1 January 1997
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:

you’re 21 or older
the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body
the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, eg a wheelchair ramp)
you’re not towing a trailer
Minibus permit - if you need to charge running costs
You can apply for a minibus permit if you need to charge passengers, as long as:

you’re 21 or older
the vehicle can carry between 9 and 16 passengers
you’re driving it for a voluntary organisation that benefits the community (eg an educational, religious or sports organisation)
the minibus service is only available for members of that organisation - not to the general public
any charges are to cover running costs and are made on a non-profit basis
Apply for a minibus permit from your local authority, or contact the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

VOSA
permits@vosa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges

Driving a minibus for profit
If you want to drive a minibus commercially, or if the above conditions don’t apply, you’ll need to apply for a minibus provisional entitlement, also known as a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence.

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Last updated: 29 November 2013

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2

What is the intended use of the minibus?

What is the GVW of the minibus?

Same question asked here with some good info - pistonheads.com/gassing/topi … +a+Minibus

3

His family and friends family road trip to holland its 3500 i knew he could drive lgv upto this but thought minibus was different

4

kevinm1984:
His family and friends family road trip to holland its 3500 i knew he could drive lgv upto this but thought minibus was different

For that purpose he would need a D1 on his licence

Perhaps someone travelling in that group has a pre 1997 licence or has passed a DSA test which covers D1 who can drive it?

5

I thought that but the info on Gov.co.uk is quite misleading thanks mate

6

kevinm1984:
I thought that but the info on Gov.co.uk is quite misleading thanks mate

It is badly written and is lacking examples of what is or is not legal

7

For a driver who passed car test in 2002 and has not passed any PCV DSA test then this applies -

ALL the conditions below must be a YES

===========================================

You got your driving licence after 1 January 1997 = YES 2002

You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older = YES
the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body = NO BECAUSE ITS A PRIVATE PERSON
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years = YES
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body = NO BECAUSE ITS A PRIVATE PERSON
the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, eg a wheelchair ramp) = YES
you’re not towing a trailer = YES

8

ROG:
For a driver who passed car test in 2002 and has not passed any PCV DSA test then this applies -

ALL the conditions below must be a YES

===========================================

You got your driving licence after 1 January 1997 = YES 2002

You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older = YES
the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body = NO BECAUSE ITS A PRIVATE PERSON
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years = YES
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body = NO BECAUSE ITS A PRIVATE PERSON
the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, eg a wheelchair ramp) = YES
you’re not towing a trailer = YES

Surely, ROG, it could be argued that “social purposes by a non-commercial body” could include family use? The intent, as I see it, is to exclude hire and reward.

9

Sidevalve:
Surely, ROG, it could be argued that “social purposes by a non-commercial body” could include family use? The intent, as I see it, is to exclude hire and reward.

I think you will find that the definition of non commercial body is stated as an organisation such as a registered charity
Commercial body
non commercial body
personal

10

Also they are U K rules.For mainland Europe you need a gull D1 for 9 - 16 seats.

11

disgo:
Also they are U K rules.For mainland Europe you need a gull D1 for 9 - 16 seats.

Good point - I overlooked the Sweden bit where they might have different rules

12

So he couldnt even hire a small 9 seater then, seems crap all these laws now!

13

Over the years vehicles of all types have become much easier to drive,the driving licence has become much more difficult to obtain.

14

I know!

Anyway my cousin thinks he can get hold of a 9 seater vw camper van surely theres no need for D1 etc to drive that eh??

15

The clue is 9 seats or more not the vehicle.
U K was the only E U country to get a relaxation of the rules for basically permit holders such as charities, dial a rides, schools etc.
Private use is not allowed unless driver has a full D1.
A lot of gangmasters and agencies have fallen foul of licencing regs for minibuses.
That’s why a lot of hotels and airport transfers stick to 8 passenger seats.
Take a 9 seater to mainland by all means but risk a pull .

16

Ok so its 9+ then u need a full D1 but 8 seater is good lol crazy