Minibus Leasing FAQ

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

What is a Minibus Lease?

A Minibus Lease is a way of financing a new Minibus without having to pay the full price at the start. An initial payment is made at the start. Then monthly payments are made until the end of the agreement at which point the vehicle is returned.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

Can anyone have a Minibus Lease?

The short answer to the question, ‘Can anyone have a Minibus Lease?’ is yes. But there is legislation to comply with.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

What are the advantages of a Minibus Lease?

There are a number of advantages of getting a minibus lease:

1. It is seen as an efficient use of resources as less cash is needed to get your new minibus. When you buy with cash you need all the money up front. With a lease you just need the initial payment and then the amount per month.
2. The payments are evenly spread over the term, making financial planning more predictable. Contracts are from 2 years to 5 years.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

Are there different types of Minibus Lease?

You have a number of choices when you take out a minibus lease:

1. The length of term of the contract. This is usually two, three or four years.
2. The size of the initial payment. This is typically equivalent to three, six or nine monthly payments.
3. You can choose whether to take out maintenance payments. This is where an amount per month is paid to cover the costs of servicing, tyres etc. during the term of the contract. It is seen by many as a way of predicting future costs.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

Is VAT charged on the Minibus Lease payments?

Yes, VAT is charged and this is fully reclaimable through your VAT return.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

Who is the Minibus Lease taken out with?

At MinibusLeasingUK we act as a broker and use four of the most competitive finance companies which are part of international banks. These are Lex, Arval, When we build a quote for you we find the most competitive finance rates from our contacts.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

What information is need to apply for a Minibus Lease?

The best way to answer this is to take a look at our application form. Just click here to see the Minibus Lease application form.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

What do you need to be a minibus driver?

Can anyone be a Minibus Driver?

In a word yes, as long as they have necessary driving licence.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

What is the required number of Minibus Drivers?

There is no legal requirement for a second minibus driver. For schools it is recommended that, other than on the shortest journeys, a second trained minibus driver should accompany every teacher driving a minibus. This will help cover emergency situations and prevent tiredness on long journeys. Even on short journeys, a second minibus driver, acting as a supervisor, is likely to be required. Exceptions might be where a teacher is driving a group of post-16 students for a short distance.

If there are two trained minibus drivers available and only one is a teacher, it is recommended that, for short journeys, the non-teacher drives and the teacher supervises. A second minibus driver, acting as supervisor, will help to ensure that passengers are well behaved and that they do not distract the driver and will also assist in the event of any emergency. Insurance policies may also specify a requirement for a supervisor.

It is also recommended that a mobile telephone be carried in all minibuses to cover emergency situations. This must not, however, be used by the driver while driving the vehicle.

Minibus Leasing - The Basics

Driving Licence Requirements for minibus drivers

Please see our page on Minibus Driving Licence

If you volunteer to drive a minibus you must, by law:

1. ensure a Section 19 permit has been obtained if one is needed;
2. hold the appropriate full car driving licence to do so;
3. be at least 21 years old;
4. be insured to drive the vehicle in question;
5. not drive a minibus with more than 16 passenger seats; and
6. have held a full driving licence for at least two years when driving a minibus under a Section 19 permit.

You must comply with any additional requirements imposed by your local education authority, school or insurers. These may relate in particular to training, age or length of qualification to drive.