You can drive a minibus without a D1 or D1 entitlement but there are some restrictions.
A full D1 licence requires medical and eyesight checks as well as a theory and practical test. You may have D1 entitlement on your car licence if your licence was issued before January 1997.
This entitles you to drive a minibus without the conditions required for those with a standard car licence.
If you are driving for a commercial company that is operating under a PSV Operators' licence you need a full D1 licence as well as further training.
If the minibuses are being run by a not-for-profit company or one that has charitable status they operate under a Section 19 Permit which is issued by the DVSA, in lieu of an operator's licence.
Under a Section 19 Permit drivers must meet certain conditions to drive a minibus on a standard B car licence:
- They are over 21 years of age
- They have held a full category B car licence for at least 2 years
- They receive no payment or other consideration for driving other than out-of-pocket expenses
- The vehicle has a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes including specialised equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers)
- For drivers aged 70 or over, that they don't have any medical conditions which would disqualify them from eligibility for a D1 licence
- No trailer is being towed
- Where the driver's licence only authorises the driving of vehicles with automatic transmission, that only a vehicle with automatic transmission is used
- Drivers aged 70 or over who don't meet the higher medical standards are not authorised to drive small buses. They can drive small vehicles being used under a permit, provided they have renewed their car licence.
If drivers want to drive a minibus with a GVW of over 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes with the allowance for specialist equipment), drive abroad, tow a trailer or be paid to drive a minibus, under a Section 19 Permit, they need D1 entitlement.
If you are a teacher and are driving a minibus without D1 entitlement, make sure you meet the conditions listed above and you can drive a minibus on a standard car licence. If in doubt please contact a specialist solicitor to advise.
