Can I drive a minibus

Flyboy152

mikey72 wrote: »

Yes you can, subject to the maximum weight.

and

No it doesn't, normal licence is ok if it's not for hire or reward as here.

It has nothing to do with weight, it is the number of seats that is important.

Flyboy152

George_Michael wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619

But this contradicts that assumption:

Minibuses, with or without trailers

Category - D1

Description

Vehicles with a minimum of nine and a maximum of 16 passenger seats, with or without a trailer - weighing no more than 750 kg

Minimum age
21*, **, ***

Category - D1+E

Description

As category D1 but with a trailer over 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 12,000 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle

Minimum age

21*, **, ***

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

mikey72

Flyboy152 wrote: »

It has nothing to do with weight, it is the number of seats that is important.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619

Flyboy152

mikey72 wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619

But:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

wba31

Kua wrote: »

Thanks. That was going to be my next question (how do I obtain a D1?) How much is that likely to cost me?

plus you'll need a minibus to take the test in? you cant hire one, as you dont have a D1 licence, so maybe need to borrow one?

what a !!!!!!!g joke... I'm in the same boat as you...

Flyboy152

wba31 wrote: »

plus you'll need a minibus to take the test in? you cant hire one, as you dont have a D1 licence, so maybe need to borrow one?

what a !!!!!!!g joke... I'm in the same boat as you...

Why is it a joke?

Plushchris

I think its all to do with what they class as a minibus, my LandRover is not classed as a minibus but has 12 seats so you can drive it on a normal (Non D1) license.

sillygoose

Either,
Find someone in your group who passed their test before 97, has a D1 and is willing to drive.
or
Hire 2 x Ford Galaxy or Kia Sedonas, find a 2nd driver in the group and not invite a couple of people on the trip. (or perhaps a few overflow willing to share a car?)

or watch this thread reach 16 pages of legal wrangling!

Mustard_Dave

Flyboy152 wrote: »

But this contradicts that assumption:


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

From the first link:

"There are special licensing arrangements allowing you to drive minibuses and buses without having to hold the higher passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driving licence entitlement."

The link you posted relates to people who wish to drive a minibus who do not satisfy the above exemption.

Unfortunately this thread is cluttered with ill-informed nonsense so the simple answer for the OP is:

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU DESCRIBE, YOU CAN DRIVE THE MINIBUS AS LONG AS:

• THERE ARE 16 PASSENGER SEATS OR FEWER
• IT WEIGHS 3.5 TONNES OR LESS
  
• YOU DON'T TOW A TRAILER

Unfortunately finding a minibus weighing less than 3.5 tonnes will be difficult.

Tilt

Plushchris wrote: »

I think its all to do with what they class as a minibus, my LandRover is not classed as a minibus but has 12 seats so you can drive it on a normal (Non D1) license.

The relevant regs state
'Vehicles with a minimum of nine and a maximum of 16 passenger seats, with or without a trailer - weighing no more than 750 kg'

Dosn't specify the term 'minibus'. However, apparently it depends on useage on whether you need a cat D1 on your licence to drive it. Hire or reward would deffo need a cat D1.