Driving licences held before 1 January 1997
If you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 1 January 1997 - shown as group A (B for automatics) on an old style licence or as category B and D1 not for hire or reward on a new style paper or photocard licence - you can drive a minibus provided:
- You are 21 or over, the minibus has a maximum of 17 seats including the driver's seat and is not being used for hire or reward.
To drive a minibus which has 9 or more passenger seats for hire or reward you will normally need passenger carrying vehicle entitlement [PCV] (category D1 or D). To obtain this you must meet higher medical standards and take a further driving test.
Hire or reward encompasses any payment in cash or kind by (or on behalf of) passengers which gives them a right to be carried.
However, if you drive a minibus for an organisation under the Bus Permit Scheme, you will NOT need a category D1 or D licence even if a charge is made to passengers - please see the section on these pages covering Bus Permits.
