Minibus Club Article Archive

The emergency services call them RTAs, and road traffic accidents are all too common on the busy roads of the British Isles. However, RTAs are avoidable and not becoming a statistic can be a matter of nothing more complicated than the applying of a little common sense. This is especially important for a minibus driver with up to 16 other lives in his hands.

Us and Them

It’s unfortunate but unarguably true that there are some bad drivers out there. In fact, describing some of them as having fallen out of the idiot tree, hitting every branch on the way down, can be seen as a kindness in some cases. We see drivers (naturally not minibus drivers!) using mobile phones on the move, we see drivers who believe they have magic tyres; others believe they have brakes that can defy the laws of physics.

The essence of dealing with such people is to apply defensive driving techniques in your minibus. You may, for example, be waiting at a junction. A car approaches with its indicator flashing. Will he turn off? He might but he might equally be having a ’senior moment’ and is unaware his indicator is on. Should this be the case, pulling out is a way of finding out the hard way. Wait until you see the car slow and the front wheel start to point into the turn before pulling out.

Got a tailgater? The following driver who is getting too friendly may believe the rule about one car length per 10 mph doesn’t apply but we know different. Dabbing your minibus’s brake pedal to flash your brake lights might work but it’s safer to let the, er, driver, pass at the first opportunity. Beware also of undertakers, which is an appropriate term for those who attempt to overtake you on the left. These creatures of habit tend to lurk on multi-lane junctions. All you need to know is that they are there, which is what your minibus’s nearside mirror is for.

The other protagonist you need to consider is yourself. Minibus drivers are often proud of their safety record, often quite rightly so. That said, there is nothing in the rules that says you cannot make a mistake. Modern minibuses can be deceptively smooth and respectably sprightly. Fair enough but never forget you are in charge of a moving mass that, with passengers, weighs upwards of three and a half tonnes. It probably won’t accelerate like a car and is certainly unlikely to stop as quickly. Crosswinds and the passing of lorries will also affect it.

Inside Story

You’re frequently going to be at the helm of a minibus full of passengers, which is to be expected, giving that passengers are what minibuses do. The snag is that what passengers do can be an RTA waiting to happen.

The friendly passenger is a case in point. You needn’t be rude to the passenger who comes up front for a chat as you drive. Just remind him or her that as a minibus driver, you can’t be distracted. Better yet, make a rule that passengers must remain in their seats while the vehicle is in motion. Better still; remind the passengers that wearing their seatbelts is a legal requirement.

You may have a microphone, attached to a public address system in your minibus. It may be tempting to play the tour guide as you drive along but don’t. The best place for a microphone, when the minibus is moving, is in the off position.

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A minibus isn’t a car and some additional definitions, rules and regulations apply to using one. These questions and answers illustrate some of them.

What Defines a Minibus?

A minibus is a vehicle with 9 to 16 seats, not including the driver’s seat. A vehicle having more than 16 passenger seats is a coach.

Must Minibus Passengers Wear Seatbelts?

Yes, unless the minibus is old enough to not have been fitted with seatbelts. Although the legal requirement varies with factors including the age of the minibus, the number of passengers carried and the type of seats fitted, it is accepted that seatbelts should be fitted and used. Generally, if a minibus has seatbelts, they must be used. In all cases, the minibus driver must wear a seatbelt.

What is the Minibus Speed Limit?

Several speed limits apply to minibuses used in the UK, depending on various factors. On urban and residential roads, the limit is 30 mph. A minibus may travel at up to 50 mph on a single carriageway A road and at 60 mph on a dual carriageway road. The motorway speed limit is 70 mph. Minibuses registered after the 1st of January 2005 must have a speed limiter that allows them to travel at a maximum of 62mph.
A minibus towing a trailer is restricted to 60 mph on motorways and isn’t allowed to use the outside lane for overtaking.

What is a Section 19 Minibus Permit?

Normally, using a minibus for hire or reward means having a PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence. However, a Section 19 permit allows organisations like volunteer groups to make a small charge for vehicle operating costs without the need for a PCV licence. Such a permit is valid only in the UK.
Drivers of Section 19 permit minibuses may be volunteers or they may be paid. Those providing a non profit-making bus service may apply for a Section 22 permit, provided the driver is a volunteer and receive no payment.
Where a school or other educational establishment provides a free minibus service to pupils or students, a Section 19 permit isn’t usually required.

What about using a minibus in Europe?

Whether the minibus is used for hire or reward or offers a free service, the following must be carried in Europe.

A waybill or an own account certificate.

A European accident form.

A valid minibus insurance certificate.

A valid registration document.

A GB sticker or EU type number plates with a GB designation. Either of these must be prominently displayed on a permanent basis.

While regulations can vary from country to country in the EU, it is wise, and may be legally necessary to carry the following.

A full set of spare bulbs for the minibus.

A reflective safety jacket or waistcoat, which must be kept in the minibus’s cab.

A reflective warning triangle.

A fire extinguisher.

Certain EU countries require an insurance green card. A green card doesn’t provide insurance cover in its own right but proves that the minimum legal requirement for third party liability insurance is being met in the countries for which a green card is required.

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A section 19 permit for a minibus comes with rules, which must be observed. The following questions and answers illustrate some of these rules.

Who May Drive?

Permit bus drivers must

Be at least 21 years old.

Have passed a Category B (or car) driving test before the 1st of January 1997, therefore gaining automatic entitlement to D1 categorisation, which allows them to drive a minibus with 9 to 16 passenger seats that is not used for hire or reward.

Drivers who passed their test before this date may drive such a minibus of any weight, provided they hold a permit. Category D1 licence holders (non-hire or reward) can renew their licence if they can pass the compulsory medical to meet the necessary health standard.

If a minibus driver with a D1 licence fails to renew their licence at age 70 but retains their category B (or car) licence they may still drive a 9 to 16-seat minibus if they meet the following conditions. The same applies to minibus drivers who passed their car test on or after the 1st of January 1997.

Such drivers must

Have held their Category B licence for no less than two years.

Must receive no payment or benefit other than out-of-pocket expenses.

Drive minibuses of no more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight, unless they are used to carry disabled passengers. In this instance, the gross weight rises to 4.25 tonnes, including the weight of any specialised equipment for disabled passengers.

Be able to pass the medical test mentioned above if they are 70 or older.

May Drivers Receive Payment?

If they hold a full PCV licence, yes. Minibus drivers who don’t may be paid if they have a licence granted before the 1st of January 1997 and have a full Category D1 (not for hire or reward) entitlement.

May Wheelchair Users be Carried?

Yes, provided such passengers are carried safely. See the Department of Transport’s Code of Practice ‘The Safety of Passengers in Wheelchairs on Buses’, which is available from the Department’s Mobility Unit.

May a Permit Vehicle Be Used Abroad?

No, the Section 19 permit is only for UK use.

May a Permit Bus Provide a Local Bus Service?

No, one may only be used for the members of clients of the organisation to which the permit applies.

Do EC Drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules Apply?

Not in the UK, provided the minibus has fewer than 17 passenger seats. Such a minibus would normally have to meet UK domestic driver’s hours rules. However, if it is being used privately or has volunteer drivers, no rules apply.

What Charges Can Apply to Passengers?

Fares or contributions may be accepted provided they cover vehicle running costs, including depreciation and drivers’ wages. However, fares that regularly yield a greater income than the above expenditure negate the operation’s non profit-making status and are not permitted.

What About Minibus Insurance?

Like all motor vehicles used on the road, a vehicle operated under a permit must be covered by an insurance policy which insures against liabilities to third parties (which includes the passengers being carried in the vehicle). This is the minimum requirement.

The minibus insurer must be aware that payment is being received from passengers but that a Section 19 permit applies, exempting the minibus user from PSV Operator Licence requirements.

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Most minibus drivers are justifiably proud of the their driving skills. However, training schemes exist that can not only let drivers hone and subsequently prove their minibus skills but also let them benefit from reduced insurance premiums. In practice, the majority of minibus insurance companies recognise the two training schemes concerned and substantial savings may be made from the lesser premiums offered.

The CTA (Community Transport Association) is the UK’s leading organisation concerned with community and voluntary transport. It administers two driver training schemes that the majority of insurance companies recognise.

Drivers who passed their test before the 1st of January 1997 automatically received a D1 classification, allowing them to drive a minibus. However, those who passed their test on or after this date received a Category B, or car, licence. This restricts their driving of a minibus to an extent because they have to meet the following conditions.

The minibus may not be used for hire or reward.

The driver must be 21 or over.

The driver must have held a Category B licence for over 2 years.

If over 70, the driver must meet Category D1 health standards.

The driver may not be paid for driving the minibus.

The minibus may not weigh over 3.5 tonnes, unless specialised equipment for the carrying of disabled passengers is fitted. In such an instance, the weight limit rises to 4.25 tonnes.

A trailer may not be towed.

The minibus may only be used in the UK.

The CTA’s CommunityDriver scheme provides everything a minibus driver needs to obtain a Category D1 licence, including training by locally based tutors, the use of special learning materials and the arranging of a test at an appropriate time in a location convenient to the pupil.

The second CTA scheme is called MiDAS, which is the acronym of the Minibus Driver Training Scheme. CTA-appointed training agents, who visit organisations to assess and train minibus drivers, run this nationally-recognised scheme. It is also possible for representatives of larger organisations to take the CTA’s Driver Assessor/Trainer Assessment, or DAT for short. Passing this allows a representative to assess and train drivers.

The MiDas test is a separate exercise and is particularly comprehensive. As such, it covers a number of areas including passenger and disability awareness, the use of passenger safety and access equipment, storage equipment, and drivers’ legal requirements. Minibus driving skills to an acceptable standard are tested, and attention is paid to general defensive driving, the driver’s personal safety and, of course, passenger safety. Lastly, roadside inspections and breakdown and accident procedures are examined.

The CTA’s schemes don’t just reduce insurance premiums. A MiDAS certificate is good for the image of the organisation or person possessing one, and passenger comfort and safety are improved. Last but not least, the certificate holder’s confidence increases, with a consequent reduction in stress at the wheel of a minibus.

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What is covered - and not covered - by a minibus insurance policy can be found in the small print. You should always pay attention to this when buying insurance and here, we can look at a typical minibus insurance policy summary. In this context, ‘typical’ doesn’t mean ‘representative’. Insurance policy details can differ significantly but the following represents what you can expect to see. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll call the three types of insurance cover by shortened names. So, ‘Comp’ means comprehensive cover, ‘TPFandT’ means third party, fire and theft cover, and ‘TPO’ refers to third party only cover.

Lets begin by examining what the minibus insurance cover might pay for in the event of a claim. Comp, TPFandT and TPO share coverage of the following in our example. Liability for death or injury to third parties, Liability for damage to other people’s property and legal costs incurred with the insurer’s consent in connection with a claim against the policy are all covered. The same goes for driving abroad, cover being available for most European countries. In our example, the policy booklet would furnish you with the specific details.

Comprehensive minibus insurance is the most costly choice but this is with good reason. In our example, Comp covers loss of or damage to the vehicle, plus replacement locks, accident recovery and an approved repairer network. These three elements are covered in a TPFandT policy, but only if a claim is for loss through fire or theft. A TPO policy would not cover these eventualities. However, Comp covers additions including medical expenses up to 100 pounds per person, personal effects up to 100 pounds, and replacements for a broken windscreen and/or windows.

Now for the options in our typical minibus insurance policy summary. Additional public liability cover in the course of a fare paying journey, AA-provided breakdown assistance, and European breakdown assistance are among the options on offer, as is uninsured loss recovery from the DAS. These options are available with all three types of cover.

Like any insurance policy, our minibus insurance has exclusions and limitations. The first is the ‘excess’, the amount the insured pays towards any claim. This, generally an agreed figure, can vary depending on certain circumstances in a claim. Limitations can be against loss or damage if the ignition keys have been left in the minibus, as well as loss of use, depreciation, wear and tear and so forth. Similarly, ‘inappropriate use’ is frowned upon, and further limitations can apply if the minibus was carrying high category hazardous goods or is used in a hazardous location. Loss or damage associated with acts of terrorism attract comparable limitations.

As is clearly evident, our minibus insurance policy summary is just this, a precis of the insurance cover. The full story lies in the full policy document, which will give you all the details you need. Here, the insurance policy summary has done its work, in describing the key points. However, studying the full extent of the insurance and the limitations that apply to it is good advice. Armed with the information in its fullest form, you can buy minibus insurance with confidence.

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In insuring a minibus, or any other vehicle for that matter, you are balancing the risk of accidental damage, theft or vandalism against the cost of guarding against it. Insurance is a legal necessity and it would be foolish to avoid having it in any case. However, there are ways to reduce both the initial cost and the risks it is protecting against. Here are nine ways to keep costs down.

1. By using a special minibus insurance provider
Most providers can offer insurance cover for virtually any vehicle. However, a company that specialises in minibus insurance will be able to provide the right kind of cover at an attractive price. This is a direct consequence of experience and it can extend to the matters of recovering a vehicle or making a claim.

2. By not paying for unnecessary cover
Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t buy something you don’t need so why pay more for minibus insurance cover that is over specified. For example, there is little point in paying for comprehensive cover on a minibus worth less than, say, £2000. The less costly third party fire and theft insurance would be more than adequate.

3. Don’t insure too many drivers
How often do you need an extra driver? Minibus use can dictate that another driver is needed for particular trips but it is pointless to insure him or her all year long. Organising temporary insurance cover with your minibus insurance provider is simple and costs considerably less.
Though drivers must be at least 21 to legally drive a minibus, someone of this age remains a young driver. As a result minibus insurance for him or her will be more expensive.

4. By not making small claims
Every insurance policy has an excess. Should the repair costs after a minor accident be at or only slightly above the excess figure, it makes sense for the costs to be met without making a claim on your minibus insurance. This will protect your no claims bonus and keep the insurance premium down.

5. By taking a recognised driving course
Minibus drivers who have successfully completed a recognised driving course may be entitled to a significant discount on their insurance premium. The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MIDAS) is such a course.

6. By driving carefully
This may seem to be obvious advice but keeping your minibus in prime condition and driving it safely can reap benefits. This approach reduces the risk of accidents and helps build up your no claims bonus.

7. By not parking by the roadside at night.
A minibus parked in a garage or on a private drive at night is much less likely to be damaged by vandals or by passing vehicles. If you must park a minibus at the roadside overnight, try to put it in a secure, well lit area.

8. By not driving distracted
It only takes a moment’s inattention at the wheel to invite an accident. When driving your minibus, never attempt to use your mobile phone or communicate with your passengers via an on-board microphone. Discourage your passengers from talking to you while you’re driving. If the need to adjust a satnav or consult a map arises, find somewhere safe to stop first.

9. By keeping your speed down
Speeding in a minibus (or any other vehicle) can be costly in more than the obvious way. Points on a driver’s licence adversely affect his or her insurance premium, while over ambitious progress increases fuel consumption and vehicle wear.

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Buying a used minibus can make a lot of sense. Buying unwisely can cause a great deal of hassle but here are some tips to help you make an ideal purchase.

Buying a used minibus is much like buying any used vehicle and the following tips apply in every instance.

1. In buying from a dealer, you pay more but you benefit from warranty protection, Dealers must also provide an HPI check; if buying privately, arrange your own check. This will reveal any previous insurance claims, outstanding hire purchase or the vehicle’s having been stolen or written off.

2. A minibus with a service history is always a better buy. Look for a dealer’s service record, or one from a reputable servicing firm at least.

3. If the vehicle has had MOT tests, examine its previous certificates and check that the mileages tally.

4. Examine the minibus’s bodywork carefully. Impact damage will be evident especially at the vehicle’s extremities. Look for ill-fitting panels, welded repairs and mismatched areas of paint.

5. Scrutinise the tyres. Strange wear patterns suggest suspension damage, while cracked sidewalls show that the tyres are ageing. Look for lumps and/or cuts in the tyre carcasses and remember that three millimetres of tread or less spells imminent replacement.

6. Look under the bonnet. Some dirt is acceptable but if the engine has rust, coolant stains and thick black oil in the sump, the service record is probably an on-paper fantasy.

7. Find the minibus’s VIN plate and check that the number tallies with that in the documentation.

8. Look carefully at the driver’s seat and controls. Shiny pedals, wear on the steering wheel, a worn driver’s seat and sloppy door furniture suggests that the mileage is astronomically high. Be rightly suspicious if the seat, carpet, pedal rubbers and speedometer appear unduly immaculate!

9. Remember to budget for insurance costs, running costs and the cost of any necessary repairs.

10. Check that older models comply with current safety and seatbelt regulations.

11. If a wheelchair lift is fitted, ensure it meets BS1609, has a safe working load of 300kg and meets Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998).

12. Never buy a minibus without a rigorous test drive. This should be over a distance that lets the engine and transmission warm thoroughly. Include traffic driving and a spell on a motorway, or at least on a dual carriageway. Ensure that the minibus performs as expected, with no untoward noises or emissions (check for the latter in the rear view mirror, especially when accelerating). Remember to try the brakes, clutch, gearbox and steering in a realistic manner.

Above all, be aware of this. You may be examining a minibus made by Ford, Fiat, Mercedes Benz, LDV or whoever. The secret of buying a used minibus, especially from a private seller (against whom you have very little comeback) is quite simple. Remember that you aren’t looking at the only Fiat, Ford, etc, minibus in the country – there are many others. This means that if you are in any doubt at all, you can vote with your feet by walking away.

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Nobody wants to be involved in a traffic accident, especially when you could be transporting up to 16 other people in a minibus.

This article identifies three ways of minimising the chance of an accident and therefore saving you money on your minibus insurance by reducing the need for making claims.

1. Be aware of other road users.

This may seem obvious but surprisingly this advice is often overlooked. Many road users are not as responsible as we would like them to be. For instance some drivers still feel the need to use their mobile telephone even though it is now against the law. If you are following a driver using a mobile phone give them extra space as there is a higher risk their actions may cause an accident.

If a motorist is driving to close to the back of your minibus don’t react aggressively to their poor judgement. It is easy to get wound up by tailgating but if you can take a deep breath, stay calm and let the vehicle pass, your chances of being involved in an accident are greatly reduced.

2. Driver Training

The Community Transport Association (CTA) is the lead UK body for voluntary and community transport. They oversee two minibus driver training schemes, MiDAS and CommunityDriver, which are recognised by the majority of insurance providers.

MiDAS (Minibus Driver Training Scheme) covers all areas of driving a minibus safely. It is suitable for an individual or for companies that operate a fleet of vehicles. The test helps to increase a driver’s confidence and passenger safety is improved.

The CommunityDriver scheme helps a minibus driver obtain a D1 licence. This is now required for all driving licences issued after 1st January 1997. To obtain a D1 licence a driver must pass a theory test, a hazard perception test and then undertake a full medical. The CommunityDriver scheme provides all that is needed to obtain the licence, including locally based trainers and learning materials. Tests are arranged at convenient locations for the driver.

Driver training will greatly reduce the risk of an accident. And evidence of such training may result in a discount on your minibus insurance.

3. Passenger Awareness

Transporting passengers is the main reason for driving a minibus. But in many instances their behaviour can be the cause of an accident.

Don’t start chatting with any of the passengers. If a passenger comes up to the front of the minibus and tries to engage you in conversation, remind him or her that there is a safety issue.

Try to keep all passengers in their seats at all times. If passengers are moving about, or if there are more at one side of the vehicle than at the other, it can cause instability.

Ask passengers to fasten their seat belts. It is now law for seat belts to be used at all times by the driver and passengers. Children below 135cm in height need to wear a child restraint in addition to a seat belt.

If your minibus is fitted with a microphone do not use it while the vehicle is moving, unless in an emergency. It may seem perfectly normal to point out places of interest to your passengers but it will be a distraction that could cause an accident.

And don’t allow passengers to drink alcohol on a minibus. Alcohol is actually illegal on buses going to and from sporting fixtures.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident then the best advice is to stay calm. Losing your temper, however angry you may feel, will not help an already difficult situation. By taking a controlled approach to the situation you will help ensure your passengers’ safety. And be sure to collect as much information at the scene as possible. It may help resolve any legal or minibus insurance issues that may follow.

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Every year insurance providers receive a variety of unusual claims, whether it’s car, motorcycle or minibus insurance. Many involve animals, trees, or inanimate objects.

This article reveals the ten most bizarre and obscure claims, all from genuine sources:

1. One motorist was in such a panic when a wasp flew into his car and up his trouser leg that he hit the accelerator; unfortunately, also hitting the car in front.

2. Cows can be a problem. In one particular instance, a driver claimed that the cow jumped onto his quad bike, presumably by accident rather than with the intention of driving away.

3. In another incident involving a cow the driver described his experience, “As I came over a hill, I hit a cow in the middle of the road, which then hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen with its rear end”. Thankfully, the cow survived.

4. When driving close to a herd of cattle try to avoid their tongues. In a particularly bizarre insurance claim a motorist stated that the cows caused damage to his car’s paintwork by licking it.

5. Cows aren’t the only animal causing problems. A driver claimed that a reindeer fell onto the bonnet of his car. Thankfully it wasn’t at Christmas and the reindeer did not have a red nose.

6. When driving in Africa zebras can be difficult, especially if they intentionally collide with your car, as was the case with one claim.

7. Always secure your shopping bags when driving. One driver had the misfortune to find that a potato had fallen out of the bag and had become lodged under his brakes, rending them useless.

8. Bizarrely flying kebabs can be a hazard on the road. Apparently, a driver was rounding a bend when a frozen kebab flew out of his car, hitting a passing car and causing damage.

9. That’s not the only frozen item causing damage. Another motorist claimed, “A frozen squirrel fell out of a tree and crashed through the windscreen onto the passenger seat”.

10. If flashed at by a speed camera try to contain your anger. One motorist, fed up of being snapped by a speed camera, decided to take his revenge by driving into the post that it was attached to. Unfortunately, the post was stronger than expected, causing him to write off his motor.

Each of these incidents illustrates the importance of having adequate car, motorcycle or minibus insurance. After all, you can never predict when a reindeer might fall from the sky or an unhappy cow exacts her revenge.