Minibus use

Minibus rental can be complicated, mainly due to the various different legal requirements which cover minibuses including drivers' hours, PSV operator licensing and driving licence requirements.  

Members can access more detailed advice on this subject. Click here.

We have written detailed guidance, available from the quick links on the right, which covers all aspects of these legal requirements and will help members with compliance. 

For clarity a minibus is defined as a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but not more than sixteen seated passengers in addition to the driver.

The following are some of the key areas to check before renting a minbus:

Do I have the correct entitlement to drive a minibus?

If you passed your driving test before 1997 you will have D1 or A entitlement on your licence which will allow you to drive a minibus up to sixteen passenger seats, provided the driving is not for hire or reward.

If you passed your test after 1997 then you will need to take a seperate test to get minibus entitlement on your licence, however there is a specific exemption. For further information regarding minibus entitlement please visit either DVLA's or VOSA's website, links can be found at the bottom of this page.

Does the use of the minibus require any kind of permit or operator licence?

A PSV Operator Licence is required if you want to drive a minibus with more than eight passenger seats for hire or reward. If you rent or lease a minibus and use it for hire and reward without a PSV operator licence the vehicle could be seized and impounded by VOSA.  Further information on PSV operator licence's can be accessed from the quick links on the right.

There  are exemptions from needing an operator licence mainly for organisations concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities of benefit to the community.  A section 19 or 22 permit will need to be obtained.

Do I need to record my hours under the EU or domestic drivers' hours rules?

If you are using a minibus for commercial purposes in the UK you will need to observe EU drivers’ hours rules and use a tachograph, most other users should be observing the domestic driver's hours rules. Where the vehicle is being taken out of the country you will need to observe EU drivers' hours rules, regardless of use.  Read more

How should I load the vehicle and ensure it is operated safely?

Overloading a minibus is illegal and ensuring that a vehicle is not overloaded is the responsibility of both the operator and the driver. In addition to this, if anyone else causes or permits a vehicle to be overloaded, they may also be charged with committing an offence.

Fines can be up to £5,000 for either of these offences. If a vehicle is overloaded and results in someone being killed, both the driver and operator could face jail for manslaughter or death by dangerous driving.

If a vehicle is overloaded it may cause that vehicle to be unsafe and put the driver and other road users at risk. Overloading a vehicle can:

• Make the vehicle less stable, difficult to steer and take longer to stop. Vehicles react differently when the maximum weights which they are designed to carry are exceeded
• Put a strain on tyres - overloading can cause tyres to overheat and wear rapidly which increases the chance of premature, dangerous and expensive failure.

To avoid the possibility of a vehicle being overloaded there are a number of steps Members and their customers can take:

• Know the weight limits of the vehicle
• Check the load before setting out
• If possible weigh the vehicle and try to establish axle weights. If you cannot do this, seek advice, but remember that the responsibility ultimately falls with the driver.
  

Further information

The following websites will help you further:

www.dvla.gov.uk

www.vosa.gov.uk