Minibus Club Article Archive

Family cars today are getting larger. MPV’s and People Carriers can have 7 or 8 seats. But when does your family car become classed as a minibus? This is an important distinction as it can have insurance implications and your driving licence may not be valid.

The classification for a minibus is a vehicle that has between 9 to 16 passenger seats. With more than 16 passenger seats the vehicle is classed as a coach.

If your vehicle is classed as a minibus, do you have a valid driving licence? If you are over 21, your license was obtained before 1 January 1997 and the minibus is not used for hire or reward, then the answer is probably ‘yes’. All licences issued after this date need a category D1 classification, which can be obtained by applying to the DVLA and passing a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) test.

There are exemptions to this regulation that will allow you to drive a minibus on a full category B (car) licence, but the following conditions need to be met:

1. The minibus is used for a social purpose but not for hire and reward.

2. You must be over 21 and have held your Category B license for more than 2 years. If you are over 70 then you are required to meet the health standards for driving a D1 vehicle.

3. No payment can be accepted for driving the minibus.

4. The minibus cannot weigh more than 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes with special equipment for carrying disabled passengers.

5. Towing a trailer of any size is prohibited.

6. The minibus can only be driven in the UK. Driving in Europe will require a D1 licence.

There are other regulations which apply to driving a minibus, not just a valid driving licence. The Directgov website has more information about what is required.

If you find your vehicle is classed as a minibus then your standard car insurance policy may not have the correct cover. A minibus insurance specialist such as the MinibusClub.co.uk will be able to offer you guidance on this.

This article is intended as a guide. It is recommended to seek your own advice if you are planning to drive a minibus or are in doubt about any of these issues.

As flying is becoming more expensive an increasing number of holiday makers are choosing to drive to Europe. Minibuses are a popular choice of transport but there are a number of legal requirements that affect driving abroad.

When travelling within EU member states and ASOR signatory states (Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and some Eastern European Countries) a control document in the form of a ‘waybill’ or an ‘own account certificate’ must be carried. This applies to all vehicles with more than eight passenger seats.

The Waybill is required by all profit-making organisations and comes in two forms: the EU Journey Form and the ASOR waybill. The EU Journey Form is for travelling in EU member states and can also be used in Norway and Switzerland. The ASOR waybill is for use when travelling outside the European Union and requires a set of translations to accompany it. Minibusclub.co.uk has a section with useful minibus advice on where to obtain waybills.

The Own Account Certificate (OAC) can be carried instead of a waybill if the minibus belongs to a non-profit making organisation and when travelling within EU member states. The OAC is free of charge and will remain valid for five years.

As well as a waybill or OAC, other documentation that needs to be carried on the vehicle at all times includes a minibus insurance certificate, European accident form, vehicle registration document and GB sticker. A Green Card is advisable when travelling abroad and the insurance company can help with this.

The driver of the minibus will require a Full Passport and a formal ‘Permission to Drive’ letter from the vehicle’s owner, unless they are the registered keeper of the minibus. The UK drivers licence is valid for journeys within the EU and EEA. Travelling outside these member states requires an International Driving Permit (IDP).

A tachograph needs to be used for international journeys starting from the UK. The minibus driver must comply with EU ‘drivers’ hours’ regulations for all international journeys.

This article is intended as a brief guide. It is recommended to check out all rules and regulations before driving to any international country. The International Road Freight Office, embassies and tourist information offices can provide all the necessary advice.