Minibus self drive rental without D1 in Glasgow area

[strath44]

Hi Folks, I realise this has been an area for much discussion before!

I need to hire a vehicle for 10 people, soon are there any companies in Scotland that don't require a D1 for rental?

I have read all the threads and phoned a couple of companies. I passed in 1999 and going by the gov site I can drive as long as its not for hire or reward.

Any help appreciated, failing that it will be a 7-9 seater and a car!

[Pebbles167]

Rental companies should have a copy of the DVLA regs too, I'd imagine they would know if you'd be eligible to drive one or not?

Northgate vehicle hire have never asked me. I think their service is pretty bad though.

[Monty Python]

Have you tried Nationwide Hire (http://www.nationwidehireuk.co.uk/index.php) or Mitchells (http://www.mitchellshiredrive.co.uk/people_carriers.htm)?

Edited by Monty Python on Monday 31st March 15:09

[Pebbles167]

Monty Python said:

I thought you only needed D1 if you were using it "not for hire or reward". Your normal driving licence should cover you up to 16 passengers.

Have you tried Nationwide Hire (http://www.nationwidehireuk.co.uk/index.php) or Mitchells (http://www.mitchellshiredrive.co.uk/people_carriers.htm)?

16 seater minibuses are classed on fully laden weight putting it over 4 tonnes. Thats why you need D1 IIRC. Anyway, thats for the younger folk. If you have "grandad rights" ie: passing test before 97 then you are good to drive D1 category vehicles. A proper hire place should know this.

That said perhaps some hire places have a policy of not allowing pre 97 licence holders to drive D1 (or c1) unless the relevant test has been undertaken?

Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 31st March 14:57

[V8forweekends]

Pebbles167 said:

16 seater minibuses are classed on fully laden weight putting it over 4 tonnes. Thats why you need D1 IIRC.

DVLA -

3. Driving a minibus without
D1 entitlement

If your car licence does not allow you to drive
minibuses, there are certain circumstances
where you may still be able to do so.

You may drive a minibus with up to 16
passenger seats provided you can meet
all conditions below:

(i) you drive on behalf of a
non-commercial body for social
purposes but not for hire or reward
(unless operating under a permit)
see section 4;
(ii) you are aged 21 or over;
(iii) you have held a car (category B)
licence for at least 2 years;
(iv) you are providing your service on a
voluntary basis;
(v) the minibus maximum weight is
not more than 3.5 tonnes excluding
any spe cial ist equipment for the
carriage of disabled passengers.
Min i bus es up to 4.25 tonnes will be
permitted in certain cir cum stanc es
(see be low); and
(vi) you do not tow a trailer.

Note: There is no specified method of
calculating the weight of specialist equipment
such as tail lifts or wheelchair security fittings,
but there is an allowance of 750kg for the
extra equipment for mini buses which are
intended for the carriage of passengers with
disabilities or wheelchair users.

This would cover minibuses with a
weight of 4.25 tonnes and would be
comparable with the weight threshold
which new drivers of cars/light goods
vehicles are permitted to drive.

[Pebbles167]

V8forweekends said:

Pebbles167 said:

16 seater minibuses are classed on fully laden weight putting it over 4 tonnes. Thats why you need D1 IIRC.

DVLA -

3. Driving a minibus without
D1 entitlement

If your car licence does not allow you to drive
minibuses, there are certain circumstances
where you may still be able to do so.

You may drive a minibus with up to 16
passenger seats provided you can meet
all conditions below:

(i) you drive on behalf of a
non-commercial body for social
purposes but not for hire or reward
(unless operating under a permit)
see section 4;
(ii) you are aged 21 or over;
(iii) you have held a car (category B)
licence for at least 2 years;
(iv) you are providing your service on a
voluntary basis;
(v) the minibus maximum weight is
not more than 3.5 tonnes excluding
any spe cial ist equipment for the
carriage of disabled passengers.
Min i bus es up to 4.25 tonnes will be
permitted in certain cir cum stanc es
(see be low); and
(vi) you do not tow a trailer.

Note: There is no specified method of
calculating the weight of specialist equipment
such as tail lifts or wheelchair security fittings,
but there is an allowance of 750kg for the
extra equipment for mini buses which are
intended for the carriage of passengers with
disabilities or wheelchair users.

This would cover minibuses with a
weight of 4.25 tonnes and would be
comparable with the weight threshold
which new drivers of cars/light goods
vehicles are permitted to drive.

Sounds about right . I have a full D so never really bothered looking into it that much.

If he has the grand dad rights he should be fine in most minibuses.

[strath44]

I don't unfortunately have said rights - passed in 99 and I'm 30 need to be pre 97 for granddads rights!

Thanks tried Mitchells and Northgate - good shouts thought they both want D1s and don't know the law I can understand why they want a D1 though!

[Steve in Stoke]

It's probably more to do with the self-drive hire insurance risk, than the "hire or reward" aspect of not having a D1 on your licence.

17 whiplash claims in a crash-for-cash scenario could potentially put a hire company out of business.

[MondeoMan1981]

Have you tried AMK Self Drive?

Other than them and Mitchells can't think of anyone else Glasgow based.

Depending how long you want it for, 4 boggo hires from Arnold Clark could work out cheaper.