Can I Drive A Minibus On A Car Licence

Can I Drive A Minibus On A Car Licence?

If The Minibus Is Not For ‘Hire or Reward’

You might be able to drive a minibus if you hold a full manual UK car driving licence and meet certain conditions - otherwise you’ll need to apply for a minibus licence - category D.

You might be able to rent a minibus with upto 11 passenger seats using your current manual UK car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).

If you have a UK car driving licence with a valid manual category D or D1 you might be able to hire upto our 16 passenger minibus from us.

Conditions the driver must meet
You can rent a minibus from us to travel around mainland UK as long as the following conditions apply:
  • you hold either:
  • a full manual UK car licence to rent a minibus upto 11 passengers - (the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes) 
  • or you hold a full UK car licence with a valid manual category D or D1 to rent a minibus upto 16 passengers (for 3 years or more)
  • you’re  between the age of 25 and 70
  • you’ve had your full manual UK driving licence for 3 years or more
  • you've a regular driver (in a car or van)
  • you have no medical conditions 
  • you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body or company/organisation
  • you’re not towing a trailer

Driving A Minibus Abroad (Outside Mainland UK)

You might be able to drive a minibus abroad if you hold a full valid UK car driving licence with a manual category D or D1 driving licence and meet certain conditions.  If you do not have a valid category D or D1, unfortunately you will only be able to drive either our 7 or 9 seat vehicles outside of mainland UK.

If the minibus is not for ‘hire or reward’
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current manual category D or D1  driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).

Conditions you must meet
You can rent a minibus from us to travel abroad (subject to the countries you wish to travel to) as long as the following conditions apply:
  • you hold a full manual UK car licence with a valid category D or D1 to rent a minibus upto 16 passengers
  • you’re between the age of 25 and 70
  • you’ve had your driving licence with a valid manual category D or D1 for at least 3 years
  • you've a regular driver (in a car or van)
  • you have a valid 'Digital Tachograph Driver Card' - click here to apply for a card if you do not have one.
  • you have no medical conditions 
  • you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body or company/organisation
  • you're not towing a trailer

Renting a Minibus For ‘Hire or Reward’

Please contact us if you would like to rent our minibuses for 'Hire and Reward'.  You will need to be a company and have your own 'Hire and Reward' vehicle insurance that our minibus can be added on to.  Proof of insurance etc, will be required.
Call 01708 556237 to discuss your enquiry.

Share with family and friends

Share by: