Can I Drive an 8 or 9 Seater Minibus on a Car License?

If you're wondering whether you can drive an 8 or 9 seater minibus on a standard car licence, the good news is that you can, provided you're not driving it for commercial purposes. Vehicles of this size are considered small vehicles, rather than minibuses, as they are adapted to carry 8 passengers or fewer.

However, if you're driving these vehicles as part of your employment or for an organisation, some additional conditions and restrictions may apply. Let’s break down the specifics for each vehicle type.

Driving an 8-Seater Minibus on a Car Licence

For an 8-seater, the rules are fairly straightforward:

• You can drive this vehicle with a standard car licence for private use.
• It is not classified as a minibus, but a small vehicle.

Restrictions for Employment Use

If you're driving as part of your employment or for an organisation, such as a school or charity, some operating restrictions may apply. However, you only need a standard car licence for most scenarios, unless you're being paid specifically to drive the vehicle.

Licensing Considerations

If you're driving for an organisation that charges for transport (even indirectly, such as a fee-paying school), the organisation may need a PSV 'O' licence or a private hire vehicle (PHV) licence. Additionally:

• Section 19 Permits: Organisations that operate without a view to profit may qualify for a Section 19 Permit, which allows them to transport members or beneficiaries without needing a PSV or PHV licence.
• If you're hiring the vehicle as a whole, you may need a private hire vehicle licence.

Driving a 9-Seater Minibus on a Car Licence

The rules for a 9-seater are very similar to the 8-seater:

• You can drive a 9-seater minibus on a standard car licence for personal, non-commercial use.
• It is still considered a small vehicle and not a minibus.

Restrictions for Commercial and Organisational Use

When driving for an organisation, or as part of your job, you may face some additional conditions:

• You must be over 21 and have held your licence for at least 2 years.
• If your organisation charges passengers or operates for profit, they will need a PSV 'O' licence or a PHV licence.
• Similar to 8-seaters, a Section 19 Permit can replace the need for a PSV/PHV licence for non-profit organisations.

General Rules for Both 8 and 9 Seaters

• No Special Licence for Private Use: Whether you are driving an 8 or 9-seater minibus, if it’s for personal use and not for hire or reward, you won’t need any special licence beyond your car licence.
• Public Service Vehicle Considerations: Both vehicles are only classified as Public Service Vehicles if you’re charging passengers separate fares. In this case, you may need a private hire vehicle licence if the vehicle is being hired as a whole.

Always check with your local council if you’re unsure about specific licensing requirements for your situation.

Contact Information

For more details about leasing, hiring, or purchasing an 8 or 9-seater vehicle, feel free to contact our friendly team at 01896 253744 or email us at minibus@rivervale.co.uk.