MINIBUSES come in handy when transporting big groups of people around, but not everyone is allowed to drive a minibus.

Here, we outline everything you need to know about the rules of driving a minibus.

Can I drive a minibus?

Minibuses usually have a seating capacity of between eight and 16 and can be handy for transporting big groups of people around.

There are several conditions that must be met in order for you to be allowed to drive a minibus with a standard driving licence.

According to the gov.uk website, you are allowed to drive a minibus in the UK if the following conditions apply to you:

• 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 total weight of the minibus including passengers is not more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp
• you’re not towing a trailer

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If you are charging passengers to ride in your minibus, then you will need to apply for a minibus permit from the DVSA.

You can apply for a permit if these conditions apply to you:

• 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
• any charges are to cover running costs and are not for profit

What licence do I need to drive a minibus?

You can drive a minibus of up to 16 seats on a normal licence if you meet the above criteria.

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However, if you need to charge to drive a minibus you can apply for a minibus permit from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

If you want to drive a minibus commercially, will need to apply for a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) licence and a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) operator licence.

What vehicle is classed as a minibus?

A minibus is a vehicle that has the ability to transport between eight and 16 passengers.

A vehicle with seven seats would be classed as a car.

Anything with over 16 passengers (plus the drivers seat) would be too large to be considered a minibus.

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