Can you drive a minibus on a standard driving licence?

13 April 2021

Whether you’re providing transport to and from school, or for activities and trips, the ease of having your own school minibus can prove to be extremely useful. 

We at Marshall Minibus understand that the rules for driving minibuses can be a minefield and are often misunderstood. One of the most common first questions from a perspective minibus buyer is “can I drive a minibus on a standard driving licence”. 

The law says that you can drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats on a standard driving licence, provided it has a D1 entitlement. This will apply if:

• you’re 21 or older,
• you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years,
• 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,
• you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body,
• the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes - or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp,
• or you’re not towing a trailer.

This means that, if you meet the above criteria, you will be able to drive any of the minibuses in our range, from 8 and 9-seaters through to 15, 16 and 17-seater minibuses, to transport your pupils.  

It is important to note, however, that if you intend to charge running costs for school trips with your minibus, you will need to apply for a minibus permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). You can apply under the following provided:

• the vehicle can carry between 9 and 16 passengers,
• you’re driving it for a voluntary organisation that benefits the community - for example an educational, religious or sports organisation,
• the minibus service is only available for members of that organisation - not to the general public,
• and any charges are to cover running costs and are not for profit.

Those intending to drive a minibus commercially (for profit), or those who do not have a D1 entitlement on their licence, will need to apply for a minibus provisional entitlement – or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) licence – as well as a public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence.

Contact us for minibus leasing

At Marshall Minibus, we believe that leasing a minibus should be straight-forward, which is why, unlike our competitors, we are not a broker. We own our minibuses and the contracts we have with our customers, so you will be dealing directly with us and we will take care of everything from start to finish, including your regular maintenance, yearly MOT and road tax.

We understand that the cost of purchasing a minibus can be daunting, which is why we offer low, up-front costs and fixed monthly payments to suit your budget over 3, 4 or 5 years.

To find out more, or to get a quote, please contact us on 01480 220444 or email info@marshall-minibus.co.uk. 

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