Minibus
If you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 1 January 1997 - shown as group A (B for automatics) on an old style licence or as category B and D1 not for hire or reward on a new style licence - you can drive a minibus provided:
If you had entitlement to drive cars prior to 1 January 1997 - shown as group A (B for automatics) on an old style licence or as category B and D1 not for hire or reward on a new style licence - you can drive a minibus provided:
You are 21 or over, the minibus has a maximum of 17 seats including the driver's and is not being used for hire or reward.
To drive a minibus which has 9 or more passenger seats for hire or reward you will normally need passenger carrying vehicle entitlement (PCV) - Category D1 for Minibus or D for Bus/Coach - on your licence. To obtain this you must meet higher medical standards and take the PCV theory, hazard perception and case studies tests together with the PCV practical and practical demonstration tests.
You will need to:
Obtain provisional entitlement on your current car licence. Forms D2 (Licence Application Form) and D4 (Medical Report) must be completed and then sent to DVLA, Swansea with your current driving licence for the provisional entitlement to be added.
The next step is to take the Theory Test and Hazard Perception tests. The Practical Driving Test cannot be taken until these tests have been passed. The recommended reading matter for study is "The Offical Theory Test for Drivers of Large Vehicles" - 2008/2009 edition - which has the whole bank of questions the DSA use for the test paper, together with all the answers and explanations. This is available at most good bookshops price £15.99. You are also advised to read another DSA publication "The Official DSA Guide to Driving Buses and Coaches (Driving Skills) - price £14.99.
You will be required to get 85 out of 100 questions correct.
With regard to Hazard Perception we recommend a CD-ROM called "Driving Test Success" available from computer/electrical stores, price approximately £9.99. On the PCV Hazard Perception Test you will have 19 video clips and the pass mark is 67 out of 100.
To book your theory and hazard perception tests either ring 0300 200 1122 or online at www.dsa.gov.uk.
PCV Theory Test currently costs £35.
PCV Hazard Perception Test currently costs £15.
We like to see candidates before their theory test/hazard perception tests take place to ascertain the amount of practical training required to reach practical test standard. We usually suggest a 1 day session and we cover both theory revision and practical driving assessments (however this day is not obligatory) or, if you have already passed the theory and hazard perception tests, we would start the practical training and it may be possible to do a shorter time.
Once the initial training has been undertaken we can give you an exact quote for the costs involved, but as a rough guide candidates generally require between 8 and 16 hours' training including the test time and the cost is based on £30 per hour plus VAT using your vehicle (£240 to £480 + VAT + the practical test fee).
The minimum requirements for the test vehicle are as follows: MAM 4 tonnes, Length - 5 metres, Speed - 80 km/hr, ABS, Tachograph.
The practical test fee is currently £115.00.
DRIVER CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (DRIVER CPC)
With effect from 10 September 2008, andidates who pass their initial PCV Module 3 tests (practical test) after that date and want to drive professionally (ie to be paid for driving a PCV vehicle) will have to pass two further modules to obtain their Driver CPC.
Module 2 - Case Studies
This is an enhanced Theory Test and the recommended reading matter is the DSA publication "Driver CPC - the Official DSA Guide for Professional Bus & Coach Drivers" - cost £9.99, together with revision of "The Official DSA Guide to Driving Buses and Coaches (Driving Skills)".
To book the above test either ring 0300 200 1122 or online at www.dsa.gov.uk.
Module 4 - Practical Demonstration Test
The recommended study material for this test is contained in all the previous publications mentioned toether with knowledge gained during your practical training. You will be required to show the examiner that you can carry out a number of opertions other than driving, which are legal requirements.
DSA Driver CPC Practical Test cost £55
This will include autormated issue of the Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
