Minibus FAQ's

The size of a minibus will depend on the number of passengers it can carry and as they can have nine to 17 passengers there is quite a range in size. If you are looking for a particular size vehicle then please get in touch and we can advise on the best minibus for you.

A minibus is generally defined as a passenger vehicle that has between nine and 17 seats.

Though there may be some smaller minibuses with less than nine seats these will be similar in size to a large multi-passenger vehicle (MPV) car that you can drive with your standard car driving licence.

The answer to this can be complicated and we’ve got a dedicated page which fully explains who can drive a minibus that we recommend reading.

Generally, you will be able to drive a minibus if you have a D1 entitlement on your driving licence. If you passed your driving test before 1990 then the Category A on your licence entitles you to drive a minibus.

In nearly all circumstances drivers will need to be over 21 years old in order to drive a minibus.

You will not be able to drive a minibus if you do not have a D1 or Category A entitlement on your driving licence. If you are under 21 you will be unlikely to be able to drive a minibus unless you meet additional criteria.

You will usually need to be at least 21 years old to drive a minibus.

There are a few circumstances that you might be able to drive a minibus when under 21 but these are very rare and have restrictions on them.

Yes, you will be able to drive a minibus for your company but depending on why you are driving and the size of the bus you might need to get additional endorsements or permits. For more about what you will need to drive a minibus take a look at this guide.

There are a few things you should know before agreeing to drive a minibus including:

• Where all the essential controls in the vehicle are
• What your responsibilities as the driver will be
• Any processes or procedures you will need to follow
• Where any additional safety equipment is kept and how to operate it.

Additionally, you should always feel confident and comfortable in driving any vehicle you get behind the wheel of especially when it is a larger and potentially more hazardous vehicle such as a minibus.

We would generally recommend that you get some training before you drive a new type of vehicle even if it is not legally required. Especially, if it a larger vehicle like a minibus. Training will not only ensure you know how to drive the vehicle in a safe and legal manner but will help you feel more confident behind the wheel.

There is a theory and practical test that you will need to take in order to get a D1 entitlement. This is also known as the minibus driving test.

You will need to take a theory examination about the theory behind driving a minibus which will be fairly similar to the car theory test. Then once you have this you will take the 1 hour 30 minutes practical test, which includes an observed drive, and a few additional questions similar to a standard driving test.

A Public Services Vehicle (PSV) operator licence is a licence that allows the holder to carry more than eight passengers for hire and reward, which means you can charge passengers for transportation for profit.

The maximum speed for a minibus will depend on how long it is. All minibuses must obey local speed limits in built-up areas, and keep to 60 mph on a dual carriageway. If it is shorter than 12 metres then it can go up to 70 mph on the motorway.

It will depend on what country you are travelling to whether you can drive a minibus there, but generally if you are legally entitled to drive one in the UK you should be able to drive abroad.

You should check a few things before you do drive a minibus abroad including:

• If you are able to drive commercially if you are driving the minibus for work
• That your insurance will cover the vehicle for international travel and if you need to make any changes to your policy
• The driving laws of the country you are travelling to and whether you feel comfortable with them