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Can you legally drive a minibus?

Did you pass your test before 1 January 1997?

Drivers who passed their car test (category B) before 1st January 1997 were automatically given additional entitlement to drive a minibus with 9 to 16 seats (17 seats to include the driver, category D1) NOT used for hire or financial reward.

Did you pass your test after 1 January 1997?

If you passed your test on, or after, 1st January 1997 you were not granted D1 (not for hire or reward) entitlement. The category B entitlement you would have allows you to drive vehicles with no more than 8 passenger seats (9 seats including driver). However, you may still drive a 9 to 16 seat minibus (17 seats including driver) under a Section 19 permit provided the following conditions are met:

a) you have held a category B licence for at least 2 years and are over 21 years old.

b) you receive no payment or consideration for driving the vehicle other than out-of-pocket expenses.

c) the minibus has a gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes including any specialised equipment for carriage of disabled passengers).

If you have passed your test on or after January 1st 1997 and you wish to drive a minibus with a gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes you will have to take and pass a D1 driving test which can be costly and inconvenient.