Minibus Safety – your obligations

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Minibus Safety – your obligations

25/09/2018

Minibus Safety – your obligations

Congratulations! You’ve decided to lease a minibus. It’s a great way to get behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle that suits your exact needs. 

You can now sit back and wait for your vehicle to be delivered…..but hold on, a few things need to be ticked off your to-do list before you can relax. 

The good news is the team at MinibusLeasingUK are here to help. If any of our advice needs more explanation don’t hesitate to give our team a call on 01491 615516

 

There are a few “MUST HAVES” when it comes to operating a minibus.

 

Insurance

Minibuses are flexible vehicles that can be used in a huge variety of circumstances.

Perhaps you are a school or a childminder, you may run a charity, nursing home, club or group. Minibuses are sometimes used as an individual or family's private vehicle.

With so many varying uses, insurance for minibuses can be costly – they can be big, expensive vehicles the more passengers they carry, the greater the risks involved. 

The sort of use your vehicle gets put to will relate directly to the type of insurance you need so it can feel like a complex process! 

Don’t worry. Our account managers can advise you every step of the way so that when you come to get quotes you have all of the information to hand. 

TIP: Comparison sites are a good place to start so that you can get more than one quote at once. 

The Correct Driving Licence 

Do you hold a driving licence that predates 1 January 1997? 

If you check your licence you should find that it usually shows entitlement to drive Category D1 - this means you can drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats without needing an additional driving test. You should also find a code printed next to this on your licence (101) which means 'not for hire or reward'

Do you hold a driving licence that was issued after 1 January 1997? 

If you check your licence you will notice that you do not have category D1 and therefore cannot drive a minibus without taking the additional driving test.

However, holders of a full category B (car) driving licence may drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats provided all the following conditions are met:

  • the vehicle is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body but not for hire or reward;
  • the driver is aged 21;
  • the driver has held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years;
  • the driver is providing the service on a voluntary basis;
  • the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes including any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers);
  • if the driver is aged 70 or over, is able to meet the health standards for driving a D1 vehicle.
  • Certain organisations can apply for a Minibus Permit, (Section 19 -Transport Act 1985) for vehicles that can carry between nine and sixteen passengers. The permit allows organistations like volunteer groups concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreations and other activities that are beneficial to the community to make a charge without having to comply with the full passenger carrying vehicle entitlement (PCV) operator licensing requirements and without the need for their drivers to have PCV entitlement.

For more information on driving licence requirements please read our article here.

First aid kit

Before you take delivery of your new minibus you must get a first aid kit ready to install in your vehicle.

It should contain:

·     10 antiseptic wipes, foil packed 

·     1 conforming disposable bandage (not less than 7.5 cm wide) 

·     2 triangular bandages 

·     1 packet of 24 assorted adhesive dressings 

·     3 large sterile unmedicated ambulance dressings (not less than 15 x 20 cm) 

·     2 sterile eye pads with attachments 

·     12 assorted safety pins 

·     1 pair of rustproof blunt-ended scissors 

·     Disposable gloves 

·     Mouth mask for resuscitation. 

You must ensure that even minor uses of a first aid kit are recorded in an accident book, and that stock is replaced after use. Check that all items are ‘in date’ and replace any that have passed their expiry date. 

Other equipment

A high-visibility coat complying with BS EN 471 or BS EN ISO 20471 and an emergency warning triangle or a flashing beacon (not fitted to the vehicle) are requirements and it is recommended the following additional equipment should be carried at all times in the minibus.

  • Pen and paper 
  • The organisation’s internal instructions and contact details 
  • Insurance details 
  • Motoring breakdown policy details 
  • Mobile phone, phonecard or change for the phone 
  • Webbing cutter 
  • A working torch 
  • Sterile gloves and mouth masks. 

Don’t forget!

If you are leasing your minibus via your business you can offset most, or all, of the costs – speak to your accountant to find out more. 

For more information about minibus leasing browse through our articles here.

 


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