Minibus Driver Training for Schools
We are able to offer a range of training options to help schools and colleges better manage their minibus driving.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding who can and who can’t drive the school minibus. Hopefully the explanations below will help but if you are still in doubt please do not hesitate to contact us on
0800 1777 344 or email karena@chdt.co.uk for further information. We will be glad to help you.
The main information you need from the potential driver is
- When did they take their driving test?
- What categories of vehicle does their licence say they can drive?
Unless they have taken a full D1 course and test anyone who took their driving test after 1st January 1997 will not have a D1 entitlement on their licence. This does not rule them out of driving the school bus. They can drive it as long as the following criteria is met.
- They are 21 or older
- They have had their driving licence for at least 2 years
- They are driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial organisation
- The maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes – or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair tail-lift
If you took and passed your driving test before 1st January 1997 you will have a D1 category on your licence through what is described as “grandfather rights”. This allows you to drive a minibus up to 7.5 tonnes for a non commercial organisation. It does not give you the entitlement to be a minibus driver for a commercial company.
We hope that helps a bit but please contact us if you still have questions.
Buck County Council Schools
If you are a school that is still under the control of Bucks County Council or lease a bus and use their motor insurance then you will be required to take a Bucks County Council driving test in the category of vehicle you are looking to drive. If this is what you need please complete the contact form Bucks County Council Driving Test Application Form and send together with copies of both parts of your licence to karena@chdt.co.uk
ACADEMY/INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Schools that have opted out of BCC control have more options regarding their minibus training and assessments.
- Minibus Driver Risk Assessment
Our most popular form of training carried out with numerous schools all over the County including Schools in Milton Keynes. Contents include:-
- Up to 1.5 hours per person (dependent upon experience)
- Eyesight check
- Licence check
- Basic vehicle check
- Driver debrief and written report sent to school
To find out more information or book please call Karena on 0800 1777 344 or email karena@chdt.co.uk
- MiDAS
The national training scheme administered by the Community Transport Association (CTA) to help any organisation that operates a minibus to ensure their drivers are of an acceptable standard when taking out passengers. If you want more details follow this link to our dedicated MiDAS page
Midas-minibus Mini Bus Training
- School minibus compliance
We have recently held a series of minibus workshops with schools to go through some of the rules and regulations. We received some good feedback including a request to look at how we can help schools to manage their minibus compliance. We have put together a range of choices that will help you to better manage your school minibus driving.
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