Hiring a minibus: the facts
Hiring a minibus has its benefits, but what are the requirements for driving one? Get all the facts in our first-time driver's guide.
You might not need a minibus every day, but in certain situations, they're just the ticket.
Maybe it's a friend's wedding, hen do, or stag do, and they've chosen a beautiful but remote location for the festivities. Or perhaps you're headed to a corporate event with your team. Heading off in a large group to a music festival or sporting event? You could do far worse than hop in a minibus.
There are several advantages to hiring a minibus:
1. Freedom!
With an experienced driver at the wheel, your group can kick back, relax and take in the scenery. On special occasions, it also means that everyone can have a drink! (Except the driver, of course.)
Moreover, if you hire a driver, you're in charge of the schedule but not the route, which will be drawn up for you.
2. Comfort
Compared to car-pooling or public transport, minibuses are spacious, giving you extra leg room and overhead storage for your travel bags. They're also great for socialising and creating a party atmosphere.
3. Better value for money
Although at first glance minibus rentals might seem a little pricey, group travel typically works out more cost-efficient than everyone making their own way.
4. Good for the planet
As well as cutting costs, travelling as a gang also curbs carbon emissions.
5. Saves time
No need to stand around at the bus or train station killing time – a minibus is time-efficient as well as cutting costs.
Self-drive minibus hire
Of course, another option is that rather than hiring a driver, you get behind the wheel yourself. But before you hit "book" on that funmobile, let's take a look at the legal restrictions on who can and can't hire a minibus.
Who can drive a minibus?
First, let's consider hiring a minibus for non-commercial purposes. By "non-commercial", we mean that no money is passing between passengers and the person doing the hiring. It's not, in legal parlance, for "hire or reward" – in that case, as we'll see, the rules are different.
So, you're hiring a minibus without any intention of making a profit. Naturally, you need a licence – but what kind of licence will do?
A car driving licence can be enough for a vehicle that holds up to 16 passengers, but only if you the licence holder also meet certain criteria. These are:
1. You're 21 or over.
2. You passed your test and obtained your driver's licence at least 2 years ago.
3. Your licence was issued before 1997.
3. The minibus cannot – as stated – be used for "hire or reward".
4. The minibus's weight cannot exceed 3.5 tonnes. This upper limit increases if the vehicle has disabled access – a wheelchair ramp, for instance. In this case, the vehicle can weigh no more than 4.25 tonnes.
5. You need to be driving a minibus that doesn't have a trailer attached.
6. If you're over 70, you'll need to be "fit to drive". This is established by reference to "Group 2" medical standards. Unsure if you fall into this
category? Contact your GP and ask for confirmation.
If you don't meet these conditions then, unfortunately, your car driving licence won't cut it and you'll have to apply for a specialist minibus licence. (Yes, that includes anyone who passed their driving test after 1996.)
Related to the final point, if you're renewing your driving licence at the age of 70 or over, you'll need to fill out a D2 application form and get a doctor to complete a D4 medical examination report.
What if you need to charge running costs?
Let's say you're hiring a minibus to take your local football team to a match. You may need to charge your players a few bob each to cover running costs. Because this involves money changing hands, the rules are slightly different and you need to apply for a minibus permit.
Again, certain conditions apply if you want to make this application.
1. You must be 21 or over.
2. The minibus you hire can hold between 9 and 16 passengers.
3. It must be hired in order to support the running of a not-for-profit organisation that exists for social purposes. Translation: if your organisation benefits the community – a sports team, say, or a religious group – then you may be eligible for a minibus permit.
4. The vehicle is only for members of your group, not for members of the general public.
5. The money you charge passengers cannot be making you a profit, only covering running costs.
If this sounds like you, your next step is to head over to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website and apply.
What if I want to drive a minibus for profit?
The above restrictions all apply to "non-commercial" minibus hire, where the only money that might change hands is to cover running costs – never to take home a profit.
However, if you are looking into becoming a commercial minibus driver for hire, there are two documents you'll need.
First, you'll need a minibus provisional entitlement. This also goes under the name of a PCV (or "passenger-carrying vehicle") licence. Secondly, you'll need a public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence.
These documents are essential if you want to drive a minibus for profit.
How about driving aboard?
Depends! If you want to drive a minibus in another country, your first step is to get in touch with the licensing authority in your travel destination and ask for more information.
So there you have it, the cans and cannots of driving a minibus. Looking to hire one? Browse our minibuses for rent – we have several spacious vehicles available, with a variety of seating configurations.
