Driving a Minibus

[SammyW]

I'm looking for a little advice with regards to driving a minibus for work purposes. I have looked at the following guidance (https://www.gov.uk/driving-a-minibus), and meet all the criteria with the exception of a couple which I'm not sure about, but have been told that I am legal to drive any minibus.

I'm over 21, have a standard B/B1 driving licence which I got in 2004. What I'm not sure about is whether what I am doing is considered 'social' or 'voluntary' for a non-commercial body, and whether the minibus would come in under the 3.5 tonnes limit. It will be driving children at an independent school to things like sports matches and visits, and potentially using a long wheel base 17 seater Transit minibus.

Where exactly do I stand with this? Doesn't sound legal to me but I'd like to hear the opinion of BiB or legal peeps please.

[SammyW]

Mave said:

Take a look at the bus itself, it should have a plate telling you weight etc. which you can check against your driving license.

The buses appear to be under the maximum 3.5 tonne weight, but this is unladen. Does the 3.5 tonne figure include passengers? If that is the case I'm pretty sure a full minibus of pupils (likely age 16-18) will be over the maximum.

[SammyW]

I have been told that a Section 19 permit will exclude me from the work/voluntary problem? Is this the case? Also, does the maximum vehicle weight include passengers? We do have the option of lighter minibuses that should come in under the weight limit.

Just to be clear, if there is any possibility that I would be driving illegally then I wouldn't get behind the wheel, which is why I'm looking for some independent advice. Thanks for all your replies so far, clearly this is quite a grey area.