On this page you will find useful information and guidance for using minibuses as part of BB activities.
What are the regulations for driving a minibus?
Since the implementation of the Second EU Directive on Driving Licences which came into effect on 1st January 1997, drivers who pass a car driving test must now pass a further test if they wish to drive minibuses with between 9 and 16 passenger seats (Category D1).
There are however, two ‘concessions’ to this rule.
- Firstly, drivers who passed their driving test before 1st January 1997 are still permitted to drive minibuses on the strength of their existing D1 entitlement.
- Secondly, drivers who have passed a car test since 1st January 1997, who comply with the following conditions will be able to drive a small minibus (carrying up to 16 people, including the driver) without having to obtain category D1:
- The vehicle is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body but not for hire or reward.
- The driver is aged 21 years or over.
- The driver has held a car (category B) licence for at least two years.
- The driver is providing their service on a voluntary basis with no payment being received.
- The minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes. The weights referred to are known as the maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is the maximum permitted weight when the vehicle is fully loaded.
- There is no trailer.
IMPORTANT! It is important that you check the weight of the minibus which will be used, as the weight of minibuses will vary from manufacturer and model. In some instances 15 and 17 seater minibuses are over the maximum weight allowed for those who obtained their licence after 1st January 1997. If this is the case drivers who do not have a category D or D1 entitlement would have to apply for this entitlement to be added to their licence by passing the relevant theory and practical tests and completing a medical – even if not for hire or reward.
Can we pay someone to drive our minibus for us?
Under either concession, the driver is not permitted to drive the minibus ‘for hire or reward’, which means the driver may not receive any payment or consideration for driving other than “out-of-pocket” expenses (NB. Hire or reward encompasses any payment in cash or kind by or on behalf of passengers that gives them a right to be carried. Such payment does not have to be made specifically for a journey or by the passenger themself. This is a very difficult situation to interpret and explain and so if you are in any doubt as to how it may apply to your situation, you should seek legal advice). However if you drive a minibus for an organisation under the Minibus or Community Bus Permit Scheme, you will NOT need a category D1 or D licence even if a charge is made to passengers – please see the section covering Minibus and Community Bus Permits.
Are there age limits for driving minibuses?
Drivers must be over 21 years of age. In general, car licences expire when the driver reaches the age of 70, but drivers with a medically restricted licence may be affected sooner. Entitlements to drive a minibus are not renewed automatically and a separate application needs to be made at each renewal. Drivers must be able to meet the required medical standards in order to keep their entitlement to drive a minibus. This applies equally to those drivers who hold an implied D or D1 category, or PSV licence. Copies of the DVLA fact sheet (INF 94) is available here. This covers the renewal of driving licences and identifies medical conditions which may be a bar to driving minibuses.
For anyone aged 70 or over they will require a D2 – this doesn’t involve a test but is something the individual needs to apply to DVLA for.
Do I need a permit to drive a minibus?
Yes, a Company with a minibus should apply for a permit online here. There is a fee for the permit, which can be paid as part of the application.
Minibus and Community Bus Permits
- Minibus and Community Bus Permits are issued to organisations concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities of benefit to the community. Permits are available from BB Headquarters.
- Minibus Permits allow certain organisations such as The Boys’ Brigade to make a charge without having to comply with the full public service vehicle operator licensing requirements and without the need for their drivers to have PCV (category D1 or D) entitlement. The service must be provided for their own members or for groups of people whom the organisation serves. The service must not be provided to members of the public and the charges made must be on a non-profit basis using unpaid volunteer drivers. Members of the general public can be carried in the minibus.
- If you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 1st January 1997 you are still able to drive minibuses under the Permit Schemes, provided your entitlement to drive minibuses (category D1, not for hire or reward) remains in force.
NB. The Permit arrangements apply only in the UK. You cannot take a permit minibus abroad if it is used for hire or reward unless you hold either PCV, D1 or D entitlement. - Permits are issued for a five-year period and should be displayed on the minibus
- Permits are issued to a named group and are not vehicle specific.
- If another Company borrows your minibus, they require a permit in their name
What should be checked regularly on the minibus?
The pre-drive check should be done before every journey. Walk around the vehicle, including any trailer, and then check a number of items inside and outside the vehicle. RoSPA has a useful checklist that can be used for this purpose and covers everything that needs considered each time.
Check the brakes before loading passengers. With the engine running, check handbrake is working properly and brake pedal is firm when depressed. Conduct a moving brake test, off the road, if possible. Reach a speed of no more than 15mph, check mirrors, and if safe, apply brakes fairly firmly. Brakes should work efficiently, vehicle should not pull to one side or the other, luggage and other load should remain secure.
How many leaders are required to be in a minibus, when transporting children or young people?
In line with the Safe Transport Guidance and Safeguarding policy, there should always be, at least, two leaders in the minibus. Drivers must always be aware of their responsibilities whilst undertaking any journey. Whilst most likely problem areas can be dealt with in a common sense way, others may not be so easy and an escort/leader will be required to assist in ensuring that all passengers have a pleasant, uneventful journey. However, the following advice is given to drivers/escorts/leaders:
- Behaviour: Children and young people should act sensibly on or around minibuses. Boisterous and other poor behaviour can be dangerous as it may distract the driver’s attention and lead to an incident or accident. Children and young people need to listen to the driver’s/leader’s instructions and carry them out.
- Contact Details: Make sure that the person responsible for the group has up-to-date information about those in the vehicle, including contact details for emergencies, relevant medical information, special needs etc. It is helpful if parents are asked for any particular difficulties their child has; e.g. travel sickness, if they have been ill on the day of the journey etc.
- Concerns: Report any concerns you may have to the Company Captain/Correspondent or other group leader. Make sure that all leaders are aware of the above guidance, when they are involved with supervising a group, whilst using the minibus.
What is the speed limit for minibuses?
Drivers should understand, and must comply with, speed limits that apply to minibuses.
- Built up roads: 30mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Single Carriageway: 50mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Dual Carriageway: 60mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Motorway: 70mph (unless signed otherwise)
- Motorway: 60mph (if minibus is longer than 12 metres)
Are seat belts and child seats required in a minibus?
Passengers in minibuses, buses and coaches that have seatbelts fitted are required to wear seatbelts, and operators will be required to notify passengers that seat belts must be used.
- The use of booster seats is not a mandatory requirement in minibuses.
- Seat belt wearing is compulsory in minibuses. The driver is responsible for seat belt wearing by children under 14 years.
- Seated passengers aged 3 years and above will have to use seat belts where they are fitted in the larger buses and coaches. In vehicles over 16 seats, the driver is exempt from this responsibility because they cannot be expected to monitor seat belt wearing and drive safely at the same time.
- The driver or operator will be required to take reasonable steps to remind passengers of the need to wear seat belts including reminding them of this requirement at the beginning of the journey.
Alternatively, a sign that takes the form of a pictorial symbol (shown right) depicting a white figure on a blue background should be displayed at each passenger seat.
For further guidance on the use of seatbelts and child seats visit the RoSPA website.
Where can I find out more information about minibus use?
More comprehensive information about minibuses, particularly those Companies who own their own vehicle, is available on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website at rospa.com/road-safety/advice/vehicles/minibus-safety
Last updated July 2024