Occupational health service

The legal requirements

In normal circumstances you must be at least twenty one years old to drive a minibus.
As the driver of a passenger carrying vehicle you are responsible not only for the safe driving of the vehicle, but ensuring that its operation is legal in all aspects.
You will be held responsible for the number of passengers carried and could be held accountable for their conduct.
Do not be tempted to overload the vehicle since you could invalidate the insurance and render yourself liable to prosecution.
If seat belts are fitted they must be used if the passengers are under fourteen. Above this age it is the passenger's responsibility to secure their seat belts.
The carriage of standing passengers is illegal.
You are required to hold a full driving licence and not, as the holder of a provisional driving licence drive with passengers in a minibus with more than eight seats.
Whilst a normal driving licence will suffice for a minibus not driven for hire or reward, a vocational licence is required in other cases.
Existing drivers do not have to take an additional driving test to drive a minibus (up to sixteen passengers) however this will be required of new drivers from the 1st July 1996.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the minibus is roadworthy, taxed, insured and holds a current MOT certificate. A minibus requires an annual current MOT certificate from its first birthday. Either the certificate or a photocopy should be carried in the vehicle.
The insurance must be valid, relate to the vehicle you are driving and include you as a driver. Some insurance companies impose restrictions of age and/or experience above the legal minimum. As the driver of the vehicle it is up to you to check.
If you are driving abroad you are required to carry the vehicle registration document with you. You will also require a waybill and a tachograph. Make yourself aware of the tachograph hours restrictions and have a good supply of charts.
Are you as a driver fit, free from medication or the effects of alcohol or fatigue? You are required to inform the DVLC of any medical condition which may affect your ability to drive and is going to last more than three months.
Tyres must be correctly inflated and have a minimum tread of 1.6 mm.
It is illegal to use a minibus unless it is equipped with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
It is illegal to block the emergency exits. The maximum number of passengers must be displayed and the emergency exits must be clearly marked both inside and outside the vehicle.
A minibus with more than eight passenger seats is restricted to the maximum speed it can travel; 50 mph on a single carriageway, 60 mph on a dual carriageway and 70 mph on a motorway.
It is illegal to use any hand-held telephone or data access unit while driving. This includes any situation when the engine is running, such as in a traffic jam. The only exception is to make a call to the emergency services when it would be unsafe to stop. A walkie-talkie or a telephone fixed to a bracket may be used while driving, but this is not advisable.

In this guidance:

Download a copy of the Journey, driver and vehicle checklist.