Driving minibuses with a car driving licence

There are special licensing arrangements allowing you to drive minibuses under certain circumstances without holding the Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence entitlement category D1. Drivers of minibuses having nine to 16 passenger seats, in most circumstances, will need to hold a PCV licence category D1, or a category D licence to drive larger buses.

Driving a minibus with full category B (car) driving licence

A minibus with up to 16 passenger seats can be driven on a car licence if the following conditions are met:

the vehicle is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body
the driver is aged at least 21 and has held a full car licence for at least two years
the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes if fitted with specialist equipment for the carriage of passengers)

When driving a minibus under these conditions you may not receive any payment or consideration for driving other than out-of-pocket expenses. You can't tow trailers; you may only drive minibuses in the United Kingdom.

Drivers aged 70 or over will need to make a special application which involves meeting higher medical standards.

Vehicle classification for driver licensing purposes

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) can't give legal advice on how vehicles are classified but, generally speaking it depends on the weight of the vehicle or the number of passengers it can carry.

Any queries should be directed to the DVA:

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

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Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

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If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly. We don't have access to information about you.

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Driving minibuses with a car driving licence

Driving a minibus with full category B (car) driving licence

Vehicle classification for driver licensing purposes

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What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment

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Select a language

Driving minibuses with a car driving licence

Driving a minibus with full category B (car) driving licence

Vehicle classification for driver licensing purposes

More useful links

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment