DRIVING MINIBUSES IN THE UK

If you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 1 January 1997 - shown as group A (B for automatics) on an old style licence or as category B and D1 not for hire or reward B on a new style licence - you can drive a minibus provided:

You are 21 or over.

The minibus has maximum of 17 seats including the driver's.

The minibus is not being used for hire or reward.

To drive a minibus which has 9 or more passenger seats for hire or reward you will normally need passenger carrying vehicle entitlement (PCV) - Category D1 for Minibus or D for Bus/Coach. To obtain this you must meet higher medical standards and take a theory test and a further driving test.

You will need to:

Obtain provisional entitlement on your current car licence. Forms D2 (Licence Application Form) and D4 (Medical Report) must be completed and then sent to DVLA, Swansea with your current driving licence for the provisional entitlement to be added.

The next step is to take the Theory Test, which includes Hazard Perception.

The Practical Driving Test cannot be taken until you have passed the Theory Test. The recommended reading matter for study is "The Official Theory Test for Drivers of Large Vehicles" - which has the whole bank of questions the DSA use for the Test paper, together with all the answers and explanations. This is available at most good bookshops price £14.99.

Drivers who obtained their full UK car driving licence before or after 1 January 1997, are permitted to drive minibuses in the UK (but not the rest of the EU) providing they meet the training requirements detailed above and a Small Bus Permit is displayed in all minibuses used by its employees including those which are hired-in.

VEHICLE CHECKS

Before taking over responsibility for any vehicle, you should carry out a pre-journey check , or satisfy yourself that such checks have already been carried out by the operator prior to handing over the vehicle. The pre-journey checks should be carried out at least on a daily basis whilst the vehicle is in use.

Brakes and steering operate correctly.

There is an adequate supply of water in the windscreen wash reservoir, and that windscreen wash and wipers function correctly.

There are correct fluid levels in hydraulic systems, particularly the braking system, and the engine oil level is correct.

There is an adequately stocked first aid kit; any items used from the kit should be replaced without delay.

There is a vehicle fire extinguisher mounted in an easily accessible position.

All windows are clean in order to ensure good all round visibility.

Tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and are free of dangerous cuts or cracks, tread depth is at least 1.6 mm, and wheel nuts are tight.

A spare wheel is carried and is also in good condition and correctly inflated.

LOADING LIMITS

The number of people and the weight of luggage carried must not exceed the maximum limits specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle. If a large amount of luggage is to be carried it may be necessary to reduce the number of passengers in order to remain within the maximum loading limits. All luggage that may shift due to the movement of the vehicle must be safely secured. If roof racks are used, they must comply with the guidance given by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

You should bear in mind that the use of a roof rack is not recommended as this not only alters the height of the vehicle but also the centre of gravity. It may also create additional manual handling problems during loading and unloading: using a second vehicle instead is a good option.

MINIBUS REGULATIONS

Driving Licences

The holder of an ordinary car driving licence which was obtained prior to January 1997, once aged 21 years minimum, may drive a Minibus with a capacity of 16 passengers. Where the "ordinary car driving licence" is obtained after December 1996, they will have to take a separate test to drive a vehicle with a capacity of more than 8 passengers. However, there is an exemption for certain volunteer drivers, where the vehicle does not exceed 3500kgs Gross Vehicle Weight (or 4250kgs Gross Vehicle Weight if the vehicle is designed to be wheelchair accessible).

Hire and Reward

Many non-profit making organisations may recoup the vehicle's running costs, by way of direct or indirect charges, once they have obtained a "Section 19" Minibus Permit. Similarly a "Section 22" Permit may be obtained where a specific non-profit making bus service is to be operated.

Operators Licence

Any profit making concern that operates a Minibus, and makes direct or indirect charges, should obtain an Operators Licence; and any driver should hold a PCV/PSV driving licence. The vehicle would also require PCV/PSV certification.

MOT tests

All Minibuses require an annual MOT test from the vehicle's first anniversary. For non-PCV/PSV Minibuses with a passenger capacity below 13, this test may be carried out by any local garage that conducts Class IV tests,(except possibly for the first annual test. See below). A larger Minibus will require a class V test at a special testing station. A PCV/PSV Minibus requires a Class VI test at a special testing station. Since 1998 most minibuses have required a seat belt installation check at the first M.O.T. This check must be completed at a special testing station, that otherwise conducts class V and V1 tests.

Tyre fitness: Unlike cars, the minimum tread depth for a Minibus tyre is 1mm.

Tachograph

A Minibus (with accommodation for 16 or less passengers), does not need a tachograph for operation in the U.K. For operation in many other European countries, a tachograph is required if the vehicle's passenger capacity exceeds 8.

Speed limits

Motorways - 70mph
Dual Carriageway - 60mph
Other Roads - 50mph (unless a lower speed is indicated)

Construction and Use Regulations

Construction standards - All Minibuses must meets certain standards

Use Regulations - There are a number of requirements. These include:

Wheelchairs should be carried forward or rearward facing, NOT facing sideways.

Every seated passenger must have access to two exits at all times.

Gangway access should not be blocked by wheelchairs, luggage etc.

One of the two exits may be blocked by a folding seat or ramp/tail lift platform.

The required gangway size is not specified in law, and should be "reasonable" - given the number of passengers carried and their mobility.

Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Fund Tax)

Private and Light Goods is appropriate where a Minibus will not be carrying a proportion of disabled passengers at all times. The rate is the same as for a car (currently £150) It is not dependent on the seat capacity.

Schedule 6 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

Exhaust pipes

1. The outlet of every exhaust pipe fitted to a minibus shall be either at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle.

Doors - number and position

2.1 Every minibus shall be fitted with at least:

(a) one service door on the near side of the vehicle; and

(b) one emergency door either at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle so, however, that any emergency door fitted on the off side of the vehicle shall be in addition to the driver's door and there shall be no requirement for an emergency door on a minibus if it has a service door at the rear in addition to the service door on the near side.

2.2 No minibus shall be fitted with any door on its off side other that a driver's door and an emergency door.

Emergency doors

3. Every emergency door fitted to a minibus, whether or not required pursuant to these Regulations, shall:

(a) be clearly marked, in letters not less than 25mm high, on both the inside and the outside, "EMERGENCY DOOR" or "FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY", and the means of its operation shall be clearly indicated on or near the door;

(b) if hinged, open outwards;

(c) be capable of being operated manually; and

(d) when fully opened, give an aperture in the body of the vehicle not less than 1210mm high nor less than 530mm wide.

Power-operated doors

4.1 Every power-operated door fitted to a minibus shall:

(a) incorporate transparent panels to enable a person immediately inside the door to see any person immediately outside the door;

(b) be capable of being operated by a mechanism controlled by the driver of the vehicle when in the driving seat;

(c) be capable, in the event of an emergency or a failure of the supply of power for the operation of the door, of being opened from both inside and outside the vehicle by controls which:

(i) over-ride all other controls,

(ii) are placed on, or adjacent to, the door, and

(iii) are accompanied by markings which clearly indicate their position and method of operation and state that they may not be used by passengers except in an emergency;

(d) have a soft edge so that a trapped finger is unlikely to be injured; and

(e) be controlled by a mechanism by virtue of which if the door, when closing, meets resistance exceeding 150 Newton's, either the door will cease to close and begin to open, or the closing force will cease and the door will become capable of being opened manually.

4.2 No minibus shall be equipped with a system for the storage or transmission of energy in respect of the opening or closing of any door which, either in normal operation or if the system fails, is capable of adversely affecting the operation of the vehicle's braking system.

Locks, handles and hinges of doors

5. No minibus shall be fitted with:

(a) a door which can be locked from the outside unless, when so locked, it is capable of being opened from inside the vehicle when stationary.

(b) a handle or other device for opening any door, other than the driver's door, from inside the vehicle unless the handle or other device is designed so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the accidental opening of the door, and is fitted with a guard or transparent cover or so designed that it must be raised to open the door.

(c) a door which is not capable of being opened, when not locked, from inside and outside the vehicle by a single movement of the handle or other device for opening the door;

(d) a door in respect of which there is not a device capable of holding the door closed so as to prevent any passenger falling through the doorway;

(e) a side door which opens outwards and is hinged at the edge nearest the rear of the vehicle except in the case of a door having more than one rigid panel;

(f) a door, other than a power-operated door, in respect of which there is not either:

(i) a slam lock of the two-stage type; or

(ii) a device by means of which the driver, when occupying the driver's seat, is informed if the door is not securely closed, such device being operated by movement of the handle or other device for opening the door or, in the case of a handle or other device with a spring-return mechanism, by movement of the door as well as of the handle or other device.

Provided that the provisions of sub-paragraphs (a), (c), (d) and (f) of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a near side rear door forming part of a pair of doors fitted at the rear of the vehicle if that door is capable of being securely closed by the other door of that pair.

View of doors

6.1 Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2), every minibus shall be fitted with mirrors or other means so that the driver, when occupying the driver's seat, can clearly see the area immediately inside and outside every service door of the vehicle.

6.2 The provisions of sub-paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be satisfied in respect of a rear service door of a person 1.3 metres tall standing 1 metre behind the vehicle is visible to the driver when occupying the driver's seat.

Access to doors

7.1 Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2), there shall be unobstructed access from every passenger seat in a minibus to at least two doors one of which must be on the near side of the vehicle and one of which must be either at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle.

7.2 Access to only one of the doors referred to in sub-paragraph (1), may be obstructed by either or both of:

(a) a seat which when tilted or folded does not obstruct access to that door; and

(b) a lifting platform or ramp which:

(i) does not obstruct the handle or other device on the inside for opening the door with which the platform or ramp is associated, and

(ii) when the door is open, can be pushed or pulled out of the way from the inside so as to leave the doorway clear for use in an emergency.

Grab handles and hand rails

8. Every minibus shall be fitted as respects every side service door with a grab handle or a hand rail to assist passengers to get on or off the vehicle.

Seats

9.1 No seat shall be fitted to any door of a minibus.

9.2 Every seat and every wheelchair anchorage fitted to a minibus shall be fixed to the vehicle.

9.3 No seat, other than a wheelchair, fitted to a minibus shall be less than 400mm wide, and in ascertaining the width of a seat no account shall be taken of any arm rests, whether or not they are folded back or otherwise put out of use.

9.4 No vehicle shall be fitted with an anchorage for a wheelchair in such a manner that a wheelchair secured to the anchorage would face either side of the vehicle.

9.5 No minibus shall be fitted with any seat:

(a) facing either side of the vehicle and immediately forward of a rear door unless the seat is fitted with an arm-rest or similar device to guard against a passenger on that seat falling through the doorway: or

(b) so placed that a passenger on it would, without protection, be liable to be thrown through any doorway which is provided with a power-operated door or down any steps, unless the vehicle is fitted with a screen or guard which affords adequate protection against that occurrence.

Electrical equipment and wiring

10.1 Save as provided in sub-paragraph (2) no minibus shall be fitted with any:

(a) electrical circuit which is liable to carry a current which is larger than that for which it was designed;

(b) cable for the conduct of electricity unless it is suitably insulated and protected from damage:

(c) electrical circuit, other than a charging circuit, which includes any equipment other than:

(i) a starting motor

(ii) a glow plug

(iii) an ignition circuit, and

(iv) a device to stop the vehicle's engine, unless it includes a fuse or circuit breaker so, however, that one fuse or circuit breaker may serve more than one circuit; or

(d) electrical circuit with a voltage exceeding 100 volts unless there is connected in each pole of the main supply of electricity which is not connected to earth a manually-operated switch which is:

(i) capable of disconnecting the circuit, or, if there is more than one, every circuit, from the main supply,

(ii) not capable of disconnecting any circuit supplying any lamp with which the vehicle is required to be fitted, and

(iii) located inside the vehicle in a position readily accessible to the driver.

10.2 The provisions of sub-paragraph (2) do not apply in respect of a high tension ignition circuit or a circuit within a unit of equipment.

Fuel tanks

11. No minibus shall be fitted with a fuel tank or any apparatus for the supply of fuel which is in the compartments or other spaces provided for the accommodation of the driver or passengers.

Lighting of steps

12. Every minibus shall be provided with lamps to illuminate every step at a passenger exit or in a gangway.

General construction and maintenance

13. Every minibus, including all bodywork and fittings, shall be soundly and properly constructed of suitable materials and maintained in good and serviceable condition, and shall be of such design as to be capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be met in the normal operation of the vehicle.

Definitions

14. In this Schedule:

"driver's door" means a door fitted to a minibus for use by the driver; "emergency door" means a door fitted to a minibus for use by passengers in an emergency; and "service door" means a door fitted to a minibus for use by passengers in normal circumstances.