You’ve likely been on a minibus at some point in your life. They are a good way to get larger groups of people from point A to point B. Likewise, they can be increasingly cost-effective and efficient compared to some of the other options available. Whether you are looking for transportation for your close friends and family members for a special occasion or you are looking for something else, they are extremely versatile transportation options. However, how much do you know about driving one? Do you know what you are allowed to be doing while driving? These are some of the questions you’ll find answered below.
- Who Can Drive One?
Believe it or not, but anyone can drive a minibus. As long as you have had HGV training Basingstoke without limitations, you are eligible to drive one. A full car license includes the ability to drive a minibus. If you aren’t sure what type of license you have or if you have limitations, you can find that written on the back of your license. Check your license before hiring one out to be certain you are eligible. However, you don’t only need to worry about the legalities of the thing nor the physical ability to do so. You also need to know the rules of the road when it comes to driving one. Luckily, the rules for driving and operating a minibus are rather straightforward.
- Driving For Free
If you happen to be hiring out a minibus and driving for free, you don’t need to have a separate license to do so. You have no limitations for driving a minibus that holds up to 16 passengers for free without having to obtain a special license. However, you do have some restrictions you need to take note of. For instance, you have to be over the age of 21 and you need to have been eligible to drive for as many as 2 years. Also, you’ll need to meet the “group 2” medical criteria that are defined by your General Practitioner to ensure that you are medically cleared to drive for the safety of everyone in it. You also cannot drive a minibus that is over 3.5 tonnes. Likewise, you cannot drive one that has a trailer attached. If you happen to be someone older (over 70 years of age) you’ll likely need to get further medical clearance to be cleared to drive one.
- Driving For Payment
It’s not always going to be viable nor practical to drive your minibus without payment. Hiring out a minibus isn’t the cheapest thing in the world. If you are going to be heading out long-distance, you’ll likely end up coming out of your pocket for the trip. No matter if you are driving people you know or not, you’ll want to be able to cover the costs that you incur with an operation of such a large vehicle. If you are looking to charge money for it, you’ll need to get a minibus permit. You can apply for and get your permit from the DVSA. To get one, you’ll need to be over the age of 21. You’ll have other conditions you’ll need to adhere to including only using the minibus permit for a specific group of people rather than the general public. Also, it must be the right size and carry no more than 15 and no less than 9 people.
- Driving For Profit
Lastly, you have the option to drive for payment. If you are someone who is looking to drive one as a professional, you’ll need to get a brand new license for it. You’ll need a provisional entitlement to conduct a minibus. This is known as a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PVC) license. This is something you’ll need to drive the minibus professionally for profit. Also, you’ll need a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license to operate it.
