Minibus with a driver for small groups

A minibus seats about 9 to 16 passengers and suits teams, school groups and small airport parties. Luggage space shrinks fast once every seat is full, so count bags as well as people.

Who can drive it for hire

Category D1 covers minibuses with no more than 16 passenger seats and up to 8 m long. Driving one for hire or reward needs full D1 entitlement; the allowance on a car licence covers voluntary, non-commercial driving only. With a driver supplied and 9 or more passenger seats, the minibus is a public service vehicle, and the operator needs a PSV operator's licence.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 16-seat minibus, exterior

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 19-seat minibus, exterior

At a glance

Seats: 9-16
Luggage: Rear luggage space; limited with every seat taken

Typical features

Category D1 covers minibuses with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 m
Hired with a driver, a minibus with 9 or more passenger seats is a public service vehicle and needs a PSV operator's licence
Driving a minibus for hire or reward needs full D1 (PCV) entitlement; the car-licence allowance covers only voluntary, non-commercial driving
Minibuses first used from 1 October 2001 have seat belts on all forward- and rearward-facing seats
In a minibus, children from age 3 up to 135 cm or their 12th birthday use a child restraint or, if none is available, an adult seat belt

Children and belts

Any minibus in use since 1 October 2001 has belts on every seat facing forwards or backwards. Children aged 3 and over, until they reach 135 cm or their 12th birthday, use a child restraint, or an adult belt where none is available. Give the operator the ages of any children.

Clean air rules and the 16-seat line

London's ULEZ applies to minibuses up to 5 tonnes, which need Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel. The same standard applies in the charging Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Bath, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle. Minibuses with 9 or more seats qualify for the 100% Congestion Charge discount, though some must be registered with TfL first.

Sixteen seats is a useful line for access. In York, the ban inside the walls starts above 16 seats. At Royal Ascot, minibuses with up to 16 seats including the driver may drop off at the taxi rank inside Car Park 3.

Questions

How much luggage fits?

With every seat taken, expect room for small cases only. For airport runs with large suitcases, leave some seats empty or choose a bigger vehicle.

Which drivers' hours rules apply to a minibus?

It depends on the work: a minibus driver follows either the assimilated rules or the GB domestic rules. The operator applies the right set and plans a second driver if the day is too long.

Can our own staff drive instead?

Only on a voluntary, non-commercial basis on a car licence. Once the minibus comes with a paid driver, D1 and operator licensing apply.