Mini Bus - Once and for all
Discussion
OK, let's see if we can get a final answer here on whether someone who passed their test after 1997 can drive a 17-seater (16-passenger) minibus.
I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
It looks like you can. That .gov site and this agree: https://www.intack.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-kn...
Whether the hire co you've found agree or not is another thing.
Whether the hire co you've found agree or not is another thing.
Prizam said:
I passed after 1997, so dont have D1. Confirmed on the DVLA / Government site.
But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
No D1 means you're governed by the 3500kg weight limit (and not the 7.5T that the D1 gives you), which will be your sticking point. But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
(Von beat me to it)
vonhosen said:
Prizam said:
I passed after 1997, so dont have D1. Confirmed on the DVLA / Government site.
But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
Which 17 seater are you thinking is going to come in under the weight limit?But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
They are a rental company so I don't know what I will get, but the site has a picture of a ford tranny on it.
Prizam said:
vonhosen said:
Prizam said:
I passed after 1997, so dont have D1. Confirmed on the DVLA / Government site.
But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
Which 17 seater are you thinking is going to come in under the weight limit?But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
They are a rental company so I don't know what I will get, but the site has a picture of a ford tranny on it.
Prizam said:
OK, let's see if we can get a final answer here on whether someone who passed their test after 1997 can drive a 17-seater (16-passenger) minibus.
I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
In your check list, you omitted.I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
If you passed your test before 1997, but have surrendered (or had your licence revoked) because of (some) medical condition, you lose the pre-1997 ‘grandfather’ rights when your licence is returned.
Always check your own individual licence and view it here
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Pica-Pica said:
Prizam said:
OK, let's see if we can get a final answer here on whether someone who passed their test after 1997 can drive a 17-seater (16-passenger) minibus.
I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
In your check list, you omitted.I have just rented one, at great expense, for a family holiday. I have been given driving duties, we are taking a few of the grandparents whose driving careers are almost over and thought better of attempting to make the trip on their own.
I have read the government website and concluded that I can drive the bus.
If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
Conditions you must meet
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
you’re 21 or older - Check
you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years - Check
you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards - NA
you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body - Check
the total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp - Check, I think. though on further research this might be a bit tight.
you’re not towing a trailer - Check
I just phoned up the hiring company to check. My spidey senses were tingling that I might get some resistance on the day of hire. The lady on the phone said I needed a "Category D1" to drive the minibus, and that it had changed last year. news to me.
I'm expecting a call back from head office. Place your bets.
If you passed your test before 1997, but have surrendered (or had your licence revoked) because of (some) medical condition, you lose the pre-1997 ‘grandfather’ rights when your licence is returned.
Always check your own individual licence and view it here
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Prizam said:
vonhosen said:
Prizam said:
I passed after 1997, so dont have D1. Confirmed on the DVLA / Government site.
But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
Which 17 seater are you thinking is going to come in under the weight limit?But THIS site sugests i "Might" be able to drive one.
They are a rental company so I don't know what I will get, but the site has a picture of a ford tranny on it.
There are not many buses with 17 seats that come under that weight when loaded with people.
Transits usually don’t if they are fairly modern.
kiethton said:
I chair a charity with 2 17 seat minibuses (both with ramps), I passed my test in 2006 and drive both (serval chassis, plated at 4.25t)
It's not a hire company but I can't see the issue if not for hire and reward.
The issue is that when it is over 3.5T or 4.25 with a ramp, when loaded - it is illegal to drive it without a D1.It's not a hire company but I can't see the issue if not for hire and reward.
Whether you get caught or not is a different issue.
The_Nugget said:
The 3.5t weight limit will be your issue.
There are not many buses with 17 seats that come under that weight when loaded with people.
Transits usually don’t if they are fairly modern.
This will be your issue. Absent a D1 you will almost certainly not find a commercial hire vehicle that would be suitable.There are not many buses with 17 seats that come under that weight when loaded with people.
Transits usually don’t if they are fairly modern.
There are companies that will convert (usually) Citroen or Renault vans into 16+ driver without D1, but they tend to be special orders for schools and other institutions like that. and cost a premium.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
The 3.5t limit will be your limiting factor.
How many passengers?
“A few grandparents” plus your immediate family suggests quite a lot! Multiply each by 50kg ( that gives a passenger weight of how much? That 50kg is likely to be greater. Add in luggage.
Take that off the 3.5t MAM limit. Doesn’t leave much for a 16seater!
Better off taking 2 vehicles, one being a smaller minibus.
How likely are the hire company to agree to the hire? Will they let you chance it to get your fee?
The 3.5t limit will be your limiting factor.
How many passengers?
“A few grandparents” plus your immediate family suggests quite a lot! Multiply each by 50kg ( that gives a passenger weight of how much? That 50kg is likely to be greater. Add in luggage.
Take that off the 3.5t MAM limit. Doesn’t leave much for a 16seater!
Better off taking 2 vehicles, one being a smaller minibus.
How likely are the hire company to agree to the hire? Will they let you chance it to get your fee?
The_Nugget said:
kiethton said:
I chair a charity with 2 17 seat minibuses (both with ramps), I passed my test in 2006 and drive both (serval chassis, plated at 4.25t)
It's not a hire company but I can't see the issue if not for hire and reward.
The issue is that when it is over 3.5T or 4.25 with a ramp, when loaded - it is illegal to drive it without a D1.It's not a hire company but I can't see the issue if not for hire and reward.
Whether you get caught or not is a different issue.
The chassis itself is c2.2t, 200kg for a ramp and you've still got nearly 2t to play with
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