Ordinary 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 licence – you can drive a minibus provided:

•  The minibus has a maximum of 17 seats including the driver’s 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 get 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 Minibus or Community bus permit scheme, you will NOT need a category D1 or D licence even if a charge is made to passengers – see section 3 for further details.

New rules from 1 January 1998

Your minibus entitlement will remain valid in the UK and on temporary visits abroad until your licence is next renewed. When this happens your minibus entitlement (category D1 and D1+E not for hire or reward) can only be issued if you make a special application which will involve meeting higher medical standards.

If your minibus entitlement is renewed you will normally be granted a category D1 and D1 + E licence for 3 years which will allow you to drive minibuses, not for hire or reward, in the UK and on temporary visits to other EC/EEA countries. See page 4 for more details about driving abroad.

If your minibus entitlement is not renewed, categories D1 and D1 + E will no longer appear on your licence. However, if you are aged under 70 years, you may still be able to drive minibuses in certain circumstances. The rules explained in section 2 will also apply to you.

Drivers whose licences are due for renewal will receive advice about these new procedures with their renewal reminder letter.

Medically restricted licences

In general, car licences have to be renewed when drivers reach the age of 70 but younger drivers with restricted medical licences will also be affected by the new rules when their licences are first renewed. If you have a medically restricted licence you should note that you can still drive non-commercial minibuses on a voluntary basis without being subject to the higher health standards until you reach the age of 70.

Will licences be accepted abroad?

Yes, during temporary visits to other EC/EEA countries, but please note that under permit (see section 3), minibuses used for hire or reward cannot be driven outside the United Kingdom unless the driver has passed a test for category D1 or D.

Drivers who become permanently resident in another EC/EEA country may find that their entitlement to drive category D1/D1+E (not for hire or reward) minibuses may not be acceptable. Advice should be sought from the licensing authority of the new country with the exception of Northern Ireland which will accept all GB entitlements.