Driver Entitlement

Car test passed on or after 1st January 1997

Anyone who passed their category B car test after 1st January 1997 does not have an automatic D1 entitlement on their licence but they may still drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats provided they satisfy each of the following points:

  • They are driving on behalf of a non-commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or reward (unless operating under a permit)
  • They are aged 21 years or older
  • They have held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years
  • They are providing their service on a voluntary (unpaid) basis
  • The minibus maximum weight does not exceed 3500kg (or 4250kg if fitted with specialist equipment intended for the carriage of passengers with disabilities or wheelchair users)
  • They are not towing a trailer
  • They are only driving the minibus in the U.K.

These requirements are above and beyond those which regulate drivers who passed their car test prior to 1st January 1997 and so there are many more considerations to take in to account for drivers that fall in to this category.