Driver Entitlement

Car test passed before 1st January 1997

If a driver has had the entitlement to drive a car prior to 1st January 1997 (shown as “Group A” [or B for automatics] on an old style licence or as “Category B” and “D1 not for hire or reward” on a new style licence) they are legally permitted to drive a minibus or PCV provided:

  • They are aged 21 years or older
  • The minibus has a maximum of 16 passenger seats
  • The minibus is not being used for hire or reward

However, driving a minibus is significantly different from driving a car. A minibus is larger, longer, wider and heavier than a car, and it’s steering, cornering and braking characteristics are markedly different.

Best practice would recommend that you introduce a training programme which will reduce the risk to drivers, passengers and all other road users. It will also increase the comfort and safety of passengers and where the carriage of children is concerned, reassures parents that their children are in safe hands.

In addition to providing training, organisations should also seek to conduct risk assessments to ensure that journeys are planned, proposed drivers are in a fit state to drive as well as ensuring the minibus is in a safe working condition.