Minibus Driving Test

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:15

Last week they asked at work if anyone wanted to take one of these - I just said yes, nailed the test and passed.

Now I've just recieved a certificate which basically says:

Certificate said:
South East Minibus Consultance

Peerzy
has successfully completed
Minibus Driving Evaluation
(Maximum GVW 3500KG)
Date: 4/11/10

Signed
Mr Minibus Man
Expiry Date
3/11/15

I always though for stuff like this you have something added to your DL? Apart from the 4 minibuses at work does this allow me to drive anything else.

Say I borrowed a minibus from work for a night out and got pulled - does this little certificate, my work insurance and my DL cover me?

No one here knows anything about it

Defcon5 · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:16

Was this an in house test or a DVLA test?

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:19

No idea, no mention of DVLA on the certificate or anywhere.

Morba · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:20

Surely you need to do a dvla one to get a new class on your DL?

Defcon5 · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:21

Then I would guess its an in house thing that the companies insurance requires you to do to be covered by them.

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:21

Morba said:
Surely you need to do a dvla one to get a new class on your DL?

That was my thinking - however this certificate seems to allow me to drive minibuses up to 3500KG and maybe other stuff?

Dangerous Dave · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:23

To drive a minibus for reward you need to sit the DVLA D1 test which also involves sitting a medical and your theory tests again. If you drive your work minibus on work time you are effectively driving without a license.

It looks like the test you did is just a quick one to make sure you are competent to drive a minibus rather than actually have the required license.

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:25

Thing is no one else here does any other tests or has a different DL to mine - yet they are constantly driving the minibuses (although no one here ever does it for reward).

They could easily ask me tomorrow to drive the minibus to another site now that I have passed the test.

Dup · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:28

Peerzy said:
Thing is no one else here does any other tests or has a different DL to mine - yet they are constantly driving the minibuses (although no one here ever does it for reward).

They could easily ask me tomorrow to drive the minibus to another site now that I have passed the test.

Are these mini buses actually outside of the normal driving license restrictions? I believe some are not? Don't have time to look it up but you might be OK. Obviously, don't drive one unless you're 100% that you are licensed.

Mucky_Pup · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:28

Is it a minibus with more than 8 passenger seats? If it is, you can't legally drive it. If it has 8 or less passenger seats then you can drive it on a normal B licence.

[TW]Fox · 8 Nov 2010 at 13:50

Peerzy said:
Thing is no one else here does any other tests or has a different DL to mine - yet they are constantly driving the minibuses (although no one here ever does it for reward).

They could easily ask me tomorrow to drive the minibus to another site now that I have passed the test.

Of course they do it for reward, you are paid at work right?

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:10

Mucky_Pup said:
Is it a minibus with more than 8 passenger seats? If it is, you can't legally drive it. If it has 8 or less passenger seats then you can drive it on a normal B licence.

Nah they are much bigger, like 17-23 seats.

[TW]Fox;17742737 said:
Of course they do it for reward, you are paid at work right?

We are not paid anything extra for driving the minibus though.

Sometimes people borrow the minibuses for nights out if we're doing a work gathering or something.

[TW]Fox · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:16

Peerzy said:
We are not paid anything extra for driving the minibus though.

No, but you are still being paid by your employer.

Sometimes people borrow the minibuses for nights out if we're doing a work gathering or something.

That's different but probably puts you in a dodgy place as far as tax is concerned as the vehicles shouldnt be available for private use.

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:18

So even though we have 20-30 people here who have passed this test none of them should be driving at all as it is 'for reward'?

Pudney · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:19

[TW]Fox;17742932 said:
No, but you are still being paid by your employer.

But you'd be paid by your employer irrespective of whether you drove the minibus so the remuneration would be part of your normal employment not because you've driven the minibus.

At least that's the way it would be from the tax world, if only DVLA definitely worked that way as well!

DM · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:22

Do you work for the firm as a mini bus driver specifically?

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:24

No not at all, we don't have any minibus drivers. They are used maybe one or twice a week for short trips and whoever is free/not busy is asked to drive.

DM · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:26

Peerzy said:
No not at all, we don't have any minibus drivers. They are used maybe one or twice a week for short trips and whoever is free/not busy is asked to drive.

Cant see a problem then, you aint being paid for being a mini bus driver.

When i go to the office i sometimes go and get the dinners believe it or not, it dont make me the tea person does it

[TW]Fox · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:44

DiamondMark said:
Cant see a problem then, you aint being paid for being a mini bus driver.

Irrelevent.

You are driving it as part of your employment - ie, you are working, being paid, and it's a task given to you.

The reason all the extra licensing was brought in was because of accidents involving school children in minibuses being driven by staff IIRC. A teacher isnt a bus driver either.

Peerzy · 8 Nov 2010 at 14:51

Funny you should say that, I work at a school and the main reason for this test is either driving staff or students around.