| |
|
Driving a Minibus - (D1) - Licence Entitlement
If you first passed your car
driving test before 1st January 1997, you will probably automatically have
entitlement to drive a minibus* on a not-for-profit** basis.
Exceptions to automatic entitlement include medical restrictions and where
licences have been renewed or updated but continuation of D1 entitlement has not
been specifically requested.
*A minibus is defined as a vehicle constructed or adapted to
carry between 6 & 16 passengers.
**A not-for-profit basis includes use under a Section 19 permit
but excludes use connected to activities incidental to making a profit - i.e.
private Nursing Homes etc.
If you first passed your car driving test after 1st January 1997,
you can only drive a minibus under certain restricted situations:
It is the last two requirements
that cause most difficulty - there is currently no clear legal definition of the
word “Voluntary” in the context of minibus driving and the majority of
minibuses now have maximum weights (GVW’s) in excess of 3.5/4.25 tonnes.
If you wish to drive a minibus for profit, wish to use one in an activity that’s
incidental to making a profit or first passed your driving test after 1st
January 1997 and do not meet all the terms of the exemption, you
must obtain full D1 licence entitlement from Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
| |
