Teachers and other voluntary Drivers.
Driving a minibus on a car licence.
Under certain conditions teachers and other volunteer drivers can drive a minibus on a car ('B') licence.
Teachers and other volunteer drivers can drive a minibus on a car ('B') licence if certain conditions are met. Below we guide you through the conditions.
The DfT and DfES have issued guidelines to help those who think they may be able to drive a minibus without a category D1 licence but both bodies emphasise that they are only guidelines and have never been tested in a court of law.
Important: Some local authorities will still require drivers to have a current MiDAS certificate even with a D or D1 licence.
A major advantage of MiDAS certification is that drivers are checked every 4 years to ensure they are maintaining the required standard of driving.
If there is any doubt about driving a minibus on a car licence guidance should be sought. Best practise would always be to ensure that drivers are adequately trained and maintain a high standard of driving.
Driving a minibus without a D or D1 licence.
Did you pass your car test before 1997?
If so then:-
- You can drive a minibus for a 'not for profit' organisation
- You can be paid*
- You cannot drive a minibus abroad
- You cannot driver for a commercial company in the UK
- You must request this entitlement is re-newed when you reach 70 years of age and take a medical.
*You can be paid if you are driving for a "not for profit" organisation under a section 19 permit.
If you passed your car test from 1997 onward.
You may drive a minibus if you can meet all of the following conditions;-
- You must be 21 or over
- You have held a full driving licence for at least 2 years
- You may only drive for a 'not for profit' organisation
- You are a volunteer (incidental) driver
- You cannot drive a vehicle with MAM of more than 3.5 tones or 4.25 tonnes for 'accessible' vehicles
- You must not tow a trailer
- You must pass a medical at 70 years of age to renew this entitlement.
It is important to check the MAM of any minibus you intend to drive since most 16 and 17 seater minibuses now weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. If in doubt, you should check the MAM either in the hand book or on the plate attached to the vehicle.
Driving a vehicle above the allowed weight will mean you are not driving in accordance with your licence and therefore driving uninsured.
The views expressed on this page are based on our interpretation and that of others of the DVLA rules but these have never been challenged in court.
If there is any doubt about meeting the conditions you are advised to take advice specific to your own situation.
Below we have added links to various documents which offer further guidance and clarification.
Guidance from DVLA on driving a minibus on a car licence.