The status of the educational establishment is an influencing factor in both driver licensing & operation permits required. It is recommended that independent school without charitable status seek independent legal advice to determine their status. Where a Section 19 Permit is required for only outside school hours.
Advice would be to obtain a Section 19 Permit to cover all eventualities.

State Schools. Operates up to 16 passenger seats   If driver has D1 or D1 (101) may drive up to 7.5 tonnes.   Drivers will require to hold as a minimum a Cat B licence for 2 years. Vehicle not to exceed 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes for accessible, No trailers to be towed, Only to be driven in the UK. Driver must be a volunteer, must not be in job description to drive.   If aged 70+ requires a PCV Medical

Private Schools. Private non-charitable schools (commercial)    Using vehicles with 9 - 16 seats requires:    Full PCV operators licence  Restricted PCV operators licence (1 or 2 vehicles)   Less than 9 seates no permit required providing the following is adhered to. Drivers will require as minimum to hold a Cat B licence Vehicle not to exceed 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 if accessible   Drivers must be volunteers, must not be in job description to drive

 

The status of the care home is an influencing factor in both driver licensing & operation permits required.

Charitable Status:. Charitable status or not for profit   Using vehicles with 9 - 16 seats requires a Section 19 Permit   Drivers will require to hold as a minimum a Cat B licence for 2 years. Vehicle not to exceed 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes for accessible, No trailers to be towed, Only to be driven in the UK Driver must be a volunteer, must not be in job description to drive.   If aged 70+ requires a PCV Medical

Commercial Status. Commercial status or private    PSV operators licence required    If operating only 1 or 2 vehicles a Restircted PSV Operatoes Licence is a minimum.  Drivers would require a D1 Category licence    If drivers are paid to drive they require Category D1 by test not D1 (101)

 

Car Licence obtained before 1st January 1997 Any driver who obtained the entitlement to drive a car prior to 1st January 1997 (shown as “Group A” [or B for automatics] on an old style licence or as “Category B” and “D1 not for hire or reward” on a new style licence) they are legally permitted to drive a minibus or PCV provided the following is adhered to:

• They are aged 21 years or older
• The minibus has a maximum of 16 passenger seats
• The minibus is not being used for hire or reward
• Not allowed to drive abroad on commercial basis
• If over 70 must pass the PCV Medical

Bear in mind that driving a minibus requires a greater understanding of space & time management due to the vehicles increased size and the differing handling characteristics in braking, acceleration & cornering. UK Road Safety suggest regardless of legislation that allows individuals to drive minibuses without any formal training or assessment, that an appropriate training programme is implemented to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers & the public. Such a programme should be considered the minimum where children are carried on behalf of schools and should be considered as part of their Health & Safety Policy. Transport Health & Safety policies should also cover the following:

• Vehicle maintenance
• Journey planning
• Driver fitness
• Individual passenger transport policy if required.

Car Licence obtained after 1st January 1997. Anyone who passed their category B car test after 1st January 1997 will not have D1 entitlement on their licence, however, they may still drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats provided they satisfy each & all of the following points:

• They are driving on behalf of a non-commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or reward (unless operating under a permit)
• They have held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years They are aged 21 years or older
• They are providing their service on a voluntary (unpaid) basis
• The minibus maximum weight does not exceed 3500kg (or 4250kg if fitted with accessible equipment designed for the carriage of passengers with disabilities or wheelchair users)
• They are not towing a trailer
• They are only driving the minibus in the U.K.

These requirements are above and beyond those which regulate drivers who passed their car test prior to 1st January 1997 and so there are many more considerations to take in to account for drivers that fall in to this category.