Voluntary Sector Minibus Section 19 Driving Rules.Contact us for Compliant Minibuses
Entitlement is based around when your test was taken with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, DVLA, if the Maximum Authorised Mass, MAM is 3500Kg, 3.5 Tonnes or less the number passenger seats, if the vehicle is adapted for the disabled and if the Vehicle has a Section 19 permit. The Key points are page 8 point 14. 14 WHO CAN DRIVE A PERMIT BUS? All permit bus drivers MUST be 21 or over. (a) Drivers who passed their driving test before 1 January 1997.
(b) Drivers who passed their test on or after 1 January 1997 Those who pass(ed) a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are no longer granted D1 (not for hire and reward) entitlement. Their category B entitlement allows them to drive vehicles with no more than 8 passenger seats. However, they may still drive 9-16 seat minibus under a permit providing the following conditions are met:-
(ii) the driver receives no payment or consideration for driving he vehicle other than out-of-pocket expenses (iii) the minibus has a gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes including any specialised equipment for carriage of disabled passengers). (iv) in the case of drivers aged 70 or over, they must be able to pass the medical examination referred to in paragraph (a) above. Designated bodies authorised to issue Section 19 Permits. |
Most School Minibuses and Voluntary Sector minibuses are used under- Section 19 Permit. It is important to understand MiDAS tests issued by Community Transport Association ( CTA ) have no bearing on the legal entitlement to drive. However, they are often used by organisation to demonstrate a acceptable level competence.
Drivers who passed their car (category B) test before 1 January 1997 were automatically granted additional entitlement to drive minibuses with 9-16 passenger seats (category D1) not for use for hire or reward. For as long as they hold D1 (not for hire or reward) entitlement, these drivers may drive a 9-16 passenger seat minibus of any weight used under a permit. On expiry of the licence the D1 (not for hire and reward) entitlement may be renewed providing the driver can meet the necessary standards of health (this involves a compulsory medical examination). Any driver who does not renew the D1 (not for hire and reward) entitlement at age 70 but retains a car (category B) entitlement may still drive a 9-16 seat minibus provided the conditions at (i)-(iv) in paragraph (b) below are met.
(i) the driver has held a category B licence for at least 2 years