Driving a Minibus - Licence issues?

[HereBeMonsters]

We're looking at hiring a minibus for a stag do, driving 12 people from Southampton to the Highlands of Scotland. Rather than taking 3-4 cars, we thought a minibus might be a better idea.
So, can I drive one on my licence? I passed in February 2001, back of the licence says Cat B, B1, F K P.
Anyone able to shed any light on it for me? Do I need to take another test?

[baptistsan]

Isn't it a category D1 or something for a minibus?

[xllifts]

Nope you can't drive it at all without another test and most hire companies insist on being 30+ and you need D category on your licence.

Sorry to be bearer of bad news but hope this helps

Dave

Edited by xllifts on Monday 27th April 21:55

[Deerfoot]

baptistsan said:

Isn't it a category D1 or something for a minibus?

Correct. D1 is the minibus category.

[HereBeMonsters]

xllifts said:

Nope you can't drive it at all without another test and most hire companies insist on being 30+ and you need D category on your licence.

Sorry to be bearer of bad news but hope this helps

Dave

Edited by xllifts on Monday 27th April 21:55

I've been doing some research. This seems to suggest otherwise: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

[M3CD]

As you past your licence after 1st Jan 1997 you need to pass the PCV minibus theory, medical and practical tests to obtain the right category.

[HereBeMonsters]

M3CD said:

As you past your licence after 1st Jan 1997 you need to pass the PCV minibus theory, medical and practical tests to obtain the right category.

Not according to that site.

I guess I just ask the hire company, and see what they say?

[Horsepower27]

Technically you don't need a D1 so long as you are not driving for "hire or reward". This was certainally true till summer last year.

Try Budget rent a car, they hired many out to me before when I was 25 and without a D1, I did declare this and they said no problem.

Careful though as they are scammers, I lost 2 deposits from them, or part deposits for the smallest of things.

Try these guys too as they sorted me http://www.rewardvanhire.co.uk/

[Chris_w666]

Not for hire or reward is the loophole meaning you should be legally ok driving a hired minibus with your mates in. Some insurance companies insist on D1 being on the licence of the driver so check with a few hire companies.

[coley20]

M3CD said:

As you past your licence after 1st Jan 1997 you need to pass the PCV minibus theory, medical and practical tests to obtain the right category.

As long as its for private use and no money or "reward" Is involved

[leeb]

did any answers come of this? I too found that site, but the lady at the hire centre seems to think the LAW not her company policy says i cant drive it.

i am 28 and have a standard car licence, passed in 1998.

That direct gov site seems to suggest, as its just to transfer family to a party, not HIRE or REWARD at all, that it would be ok.

Did the OP get a bus in the end?
Thanks
Lee

[vonhosen]

leeb said:

did any answers come of this? I too found that site, but the lady at the hire centre seems to think the LAW not her company policy says i cant drive it.

i am 28 and have a standard car licence, passed in 1998.

That direct gov site seems to suggest, as its just to transfer family to a party, not HIRE or REWARD at all, that it would be ok.

Did the OP get a bus in the end?
Thanks
Lee

Exempted passenger carrying vehicles

Holders of a full category B (car) driving licence may drive any of the vehicles listed below:

* a passenger carrying vehicle manufactured more than 30 years before the date when it is driven and not used for hire or reward or for the carriage of more than 8 passengers
* a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats provided the following conditions are met:

i. the vehicle is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body but not for hire or reward
ii. the driver is aged 21 iii. the driver has held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years
iv. the driver is providing the service on a voluntary basis
v. the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes including any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers
vi. if the driver is aged 70 or over, is able to meet the health standards for driving a D1 vehicle

When driving a minibus under these conditions you may not receive any payment or consideration for doing so other than out of pocket expenses or tow any size trailer; you may only drive minibuses in this country. Drivers aged 70 or over will need to make a special application, which involves meeting higher medical standards.

The condition you may have difficulty with is finding a D1 minibus to hire that has a maximum weight under 3.5 tonnes.

[Chris_w666]

I can't argue with what VON said but as an addition to those rules some insurance companies specify that D1 appears on your licence even if the conditions above are met. Certainly this applies to our company insurance as I am not allowed to drive a 15 seat bus due to the extra condition, I also know of at least 1 hire firm that insists on seeing a D1 on a licence before allowing you to drive their minibuses.

[leeb]

well i have spoken to the insurance company, explained what i want to do, and they have said as long as they have details of the vehicle, then I WILL be insured to drive it given my situation.

He has also emailed me stating that. Spoke to the hire company, they are almost happy, it is just still a bit of a grey area.

I presented them with the page from directGov quoted above last week. and their only other concern, was as i am providing a company insurance policy, does it cover SD&P use. Which it clearly states that it does.

So, we are looking all ok. They have said its now fine. If they pull out now for any reason, my mrs is going to rip off my nuts! Its for her dads 50th which is a surprise tomorrow night.

Cheers

[leeb]

dammit!!

had a call from the ins co after i sent the details, and they said that they would not cover this vehicle! bugger.

Called another company and have got a 12 seated sorted on their insurance, fingers crossed.

[GKP]

Caveats on insurance policies always state that insurance is only valid as long as the person holds a licence to drive the vehicle.

[gd49]

Chris_w666 said:

Certainly this applies to our company insurance as I am not allowed to drive a 15 seat bus due to the extra condition, I also know of at least 1 hire firm that insists on seeing a D1 on a licence before allowing you to drive their minibuses.

15 Seat bus might be over the 3.5 tonne weight limit?

I drove a minibus belonging to my uni's student union in 2007 no probs, I passed my test in 2003. The only conditions were the driver had to be over 21, full licence for at least 2 years and couldn't recieve any payment, so tallies with the conditions already mentioned. The minibus was on the uni's insurance policy, which I think was a pretty broad policy to cover the whole uni.

I think the weight limit may be the biggest problem, when the union was trying to get a new minibus, finding one below the weight limit was very difficult, prehaps hire firms don't have new minibuses below the weight limit?

[jimnicebutdim]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but it's better than starting a fresh one I suppose.

I've been asked to be the driver/medic for the Three Peaks challenge for charity. I'm not getting paid for it as the charity involved is close to my heart, and the walkers are either family or mates.
I have held a car licence for about 5 years, and I'm 30. What are the legal issues? Does charity class as hire or reward? There are 7 walkers plus me going, and they're looking at a transit tourneo minibus? Am I gonna have any snags?

Cheers
Jim

[Chrisw666]

A Tourneo will be under 9 seats (inc driver) so it is a category B vehicle which is the same as a car so you will be fine.

You would also be OK with a larger bus if the insurance company doesn't specify the driver needs a Cat D licence.

[freecar]

I believe that charities fall into hire and reward I'm afraid. Unpaid work is still work apparently!