Minibus permits: Strict regulations govern minibus operation, this guide
helps you understand the key factors and issues. A motor vehicle with between nine and sixteen passenger seats is considered a minibus.
Who can drive a minibus?
Minibus driving entitlement depends on when you passed your driving test.
If you passed before 1 January 1997, you automatically gain D1 (minibus) or
A (before 1990) entitlement. You may drive a minibus if:
- You are 21 years old or over
- The minibus has no more than 16 passenger seats, and its gross weight does not exceed 7.5 tonnes
- If code 101 is next to the D1 category on your licence, you may not drive a minibus for reward or hire. The exception remains in place until the licence expires
If you passed after 1 January 1997, you DO NOT automatically receive the D1 entitlement. You may only drive category B vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats. Minibus permits
To drive a minibus with between nine and sixteen passenger seats, you must apply for a D1 entitlement.
To drive vehicles with more than sixteen seats, you need to take a PCV (passenger carrying vehicles) test and meet current medical requirements.
You do not need PCV entitlements under current rules when you drive a minibus for an organisation under the community bus permit scheme.
For more information on applying for a PCV, visit the Directgov website
Basic rule exceptions for drivers without a minibus entitlement -Minibus permits
There are extremely limited circumstances where you may still drive a minibus without an A or D1 entitlement.
In the UK, volunteer drivers may operate vehicles with 16 passenger seats or less if they meet the following criteria:
- The minibus is used by a non-commercial body (such as charities or universities) for social purposes, and
- The driver is 21 years old or more, and
- The vehicle’s gross maximum weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes if carrying specialist equipment for disabled passengers.
If the driver is 70 years old or older, they must meet the D1 health standards. You must declare conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, and coronary disease to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
If you are driving a minibus under these conditions, you must not:
- Tow a trailer, or
- Gain any payment for doing so other than claiming out of pocket expenses
21 is the legal minimum age for driving a vehicle carrying more than eight seated passengers.
If the driver has passed a PCV test, there are some scenarios where a driver under 21 could legally drive a minibus. These are:
- Driving without passengers for purposes like picking up or dropping off a rental vehicle
- Driving a regular service route that does not exceed 50 kilometres
- Driving a vehicle designed to carry no more than 16 passengers within the UK under section 19 or 22 permits of the PCV operator’s license. Minibus permits
CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)
Anyone driving a minibus on a commercial basis needs a CPC. The driver CPC allies across all EU member states. The idea is to improve road safety and maintain high driving standards.
Driver entitlements outside the UK – Minibus permits
The UK driving licence entitlements are valid across the EEA (European Economic Area) and are valid in the UK if the driver leaves the country and returns later. The entitlements remain valid until the driver’s licence is renewed, such as when they reach 70 years old.
Driving licences issued in any other country
Minibus permits, Visitors to the UK whose licences were issued within the EEA can drive a minibus in the UK if they have the correct entitlements. Residents whose licenses were issued within the EEA can drive a minibus:
- For five years after becoming a resident or until they are 45 years of age, whichever is the longer period.
- If they are over 45 but under 65 years old, they can drive a minibus until they reach 66 years old or for five years after becoming a resident, whichever is the shorter period.
- For 12 months if they are 65 or over.
PSV Operator Licence and Reward or Hire
What is a PSV operator licence?
A PSV or Public Service Vehicle operator licence lets you drive minibuses with more than eight passenger seats for reward or hire. The PSV covers all forms of commercial activity, including public and local authorities, statutory undertakings, and other commercial undertakings. Privately run minibuses where passengers do not pay in cash or in-kind are not covered. You can contact your local authority’s PSV section for more information.
When is a PSV operator licence required?
A PSV operator license is needed if the vehicle is a public service vehicle being driven for reward or hire. A public service vehicle is a motor vehicle that is:
- Adapted to carry more than eight passengers and the driver and carries passengers for reward or hire, or
- If not adapted, it is used to carry passengers for reward or hire at individual fares as part of a person carrying business.
PSV operator types – Minibus permits
There are several PSV operator licence standards:
- Standard licence for UK national and international operations
- Standard licence for UK national operations only
- Restricted licence for just small operations that are not in the passenger transport business
- Special licence for taxi licence holders only
Applying for a PSV operator licence
You need to fill in Form GV79 and provide a PSV421 to apply for a new licence. You can obtain forms from your TAO (Traffic Area Office). Minibus permits, Send the completed form and application fee to the Leeds Licensing Office, Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF. You should ensure at least nine weeks between your application and the date you need the licence. Visit www.vosa.gov.uk for more details.
Obtaining a PSV operator licence
Your application needs to meet several detailed requirements, including fitness to hold a licence, control of drivers’ hours, maintenance arrangements, overloading and records, financial resources, and suitability of operating centre.
Reward or Hire -Minibus permits
Understanding reward or hire can be complex. However, it generally involves money’s changing hands in return for passage. It could include:
- Paying a bus operator, driver, or third party like a social group treasurer or travel agent
- Contributing to the hire of a vehicle which will carry you as a passenger.
- Paying for a package deal that includes the use of a bus, including an airline courtesy bus, hotel transport, or vehicle rental
- Securing the right to use a minibus, even if it is never exercised, such as paying a contractor to deliver a service to move staff from one site to another
Customers may want to consider these areas before using a minibus to determine where a PSV licence is needed.
Works buses
Buses used to transport agency workers or employees are a grey area when it comes to reward or hire. It is usually considered reward or hire, if:
- The driver is paid an identifiable sum for carrying passengers
- The driver’s job title implies driving responsibilities.
Where neither of these is applicable, the operator wouldn’t fall under the definition of reward or hire, and the PSV operator licence would not be required.
Furthermore, to not fall under the PSV operator licence, the employer would need to run the bus service themselves. Only employees would be able to use it – consultants and private contractors would not be able to travel on the bus without compromising its situation.
Rental company’s own use of a minibus
When a rental company collects or delivers a minibus or makes other internal trips, including delivery between branches or driving to annual testing, this is not classed as driving for reward or hire, assuming no passengers are being carried. Passengers would include fellow employees.
If a rental company uses a minibus as a courtesy bus to pick up passengers and take them to the rental office, this would be considered a reward or hire. Minibus permits, You would need a PSV operator licence. However, if the vehicle had less than nine passenger seats, the vehicle does not come under PSV regulations and therefore is outside the scope of the PSV operator licence. However, local authority licencing still needs to be considered.
Impounding
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) has legal powers to impound minibuses or goods vehicles driven on public roads without operators’ licences. Once impounded, vehicles may eventually be subject to disposal or sale. Minibus permits
Owners of impounded vehicles are within their legal rights to apply for the vehicle to be restored to them. Leased or rental vehicles will only be restored to the legal owner if they can demonstrate that they were unaware the vehicle was being illegally operated when it was impounded.