DO I NEED A D1

 

Do I need a D1 to drive a minibus? The answer to this is very probably; yes. Let us explain a bit….

 

Category D1

You can drive vehicles with:

• no more than 16 passenger seats

• a maximum length of 8 metres

• a trailer up to 750kg

 

Category D1 101 entitlement

Drivers who passed their “B” car driving test before 1st January 1997 will normally have a D1 with a 101 code – minibus, not for hire or reward – entitlement on their licence. 

These licence holders can drive a minibus operated under a section 19 or 22 permit (either as a volunteer or paid) up to the age of 70 when they will have to reapply for their licence.

 

Category B entitlement

Drivers who passed their driving test from 1 January 1997 were not granted the D1 101 entitlement on their licence and they will only have a B entitlement. If a driver with only a category B entitlement can comply with all of the following conditions they may drive, on behalf of a non-commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or reward, if they:

• are the holder of a full licence authorising the driving of vehicles in category B;

• have held that licence for an aggregate period of not less than 2 years;

• are aged 21 or over, but under 70 (unless the driver has passed a PCV medical and has gained the restriction code 79 (NFHR);

• receive no payment or consideration for so doing, other than out-of-pocket expenses;

 

They may drive a vehicle included in sub-category D1 which has no trailer attached and has a maximum authorised mass-

• not exceeding 3.5 tonnes OR

• not exceeding 4.25 tonnes including specialised equipment intended for the carriage of disabled passengers e.g.; lifts/ramps.

 

There is a legal opinion that where an employee does not have driving as part of their job description and they receive no more pay as a result of their driving duties; they could be considered to be meeting the condition set out above. 

This opinion has not been tested in a court but has been accepted within the voluntary/teaching sector.

However, it should be noted that this can be seen as a very ambiguous belief and concern is that there will be a legal challenge made on this at some point in the future.

It is NETT’s recommendation that groups might wish to avoid using this provision in order to keep within the legal parameters. In other words; don’t be that test case!

 

D1 training;

If you are going to be working with us to achieve your D1, first and foremost; don’t worry! We’ll be with you every step of the way. We will go through this in more detail with every delegate but here’s a rundown of the steps we would be working through.

 

Step 1;

Apply for provisional licence; we can give you the link to order one, and we’ll go through it with you.

Take a medical; we’ll discuss if we’re booking this or if you’re going through our provider.

 

Step 2;

Part 1; Theory and Hazard Perception; again, we’ll work with you through this. We have an app which is just great for practicing on.

 

Step 3; This has now changed in to a 2-part system; Part 3A and 3B

3A; Off-road exercise.

• the S reverse.

3B; Practical driving test. Your practical test includes:

• vehicle safety questions

• practical on road driving

 

Our trainers have a huge amount of experience and will work with you in a safe, relaxed environment to do the practical driving part.

 

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