driving a minibus

[LOZZER1]

I can legally drive a minibus,(because i passed my test pre 1996) but why should i have to do two more theory tests and a practical test,and have a medical just so i can do it for hire and reward, both the DSA/DVLA, say its to meet higher standards for the benifit of my passengers, but it seems if i drive for non hire or reward or a minibus with 7 sats or less then they are not bothered about the safety of my passengers. This is a complete rip off by both dvla and dsa. Does anybody have any thoughts or had the same problem

[ChuckFickens]

just because your license entitles you to drive a mini bus doesn't mean you can actually drive one well or that you are a fully competent driver, if you are going to be charging people and making a profit from carrying them then they have every right to expect the person they are entrusting their safety to is a competent driver. so I think it's quite right that you have to undergo further tests.

[LOZZER1]

Let me explain a bit more, i have been driving a minibus now for 13 years and i take children out to day trips and collect them from events and transport them home, all this i do as a volunteer, and the people i work for pay for the bus and fuel etc, however they have been approached by a ouside agency and asked if i would drive a adult group to functions etc, but because i am to be paid for this, its then classed as hire and reward and legally i cant do this, my argument being they are happy i drive the kids around for free but i cant drive adults around and be paid for it, i should also point out i hold a class 2 driving licence, have done a advanced driving course and a defensive driving course, so i dont think my ability to drive comes into it. I just think its a mad money making scam to get this restriction removed

[ChuckFickens]

OK, you may be able to drive it, and if you have done the advanced drving test etc then you should know that a lot of the other drivers on the road are idiots.

looking at those drivers do you not think that it's a good idea for them to made to take the extra tests before being able to charge people for transporting them in a mini bus?

and I'm sure most of them would claim to be good drivers too

[THECORBYLOON]

Why not do it on a voluntary basis and then you'll not need to take any extra tests?

[LOZZER1]

I know what your saying but the system says anyone who passed their test pre 1996 can drive a mini bus and there must be millions of people out there who who have a pre 1996 licence, and ok suppose your right...the test consists of a theory test that is not rellevant to a minibus but is more rellevant to a large bus a couple of questions on the test ask...what does it mean when the bell is pushed once, twice three times or four times, now tell me what relevance as that got to a mini bus, the practical test is reverse into a marked bay, and have a instructor sit beside you for a hour to see if you can drive safely... the main thing is though they are happy that you drive these children around without any further tests...now is that right??

[LOZZER1]

THECORBYLOON................... yes i agree but doesnt that make a mockery of the whole thing

[THECORBYLOON]

You drive the wee ones about for expenses but you are charging for the adults. What are you doing for the adults that is above and beyond what you do for the wee ones in order to justify being paid for hire and reward?

[THECORBYLOON]

You are taking advantage of a law that allows you to drive a minibus on a pre 97 Driving Licence. Anyone who got their licence from 1997 cannot do the same. Why is that fair?

[LOZZER1]

this is one you can argue for ever...but to answer your last question, the law says i can............heres one for you assuming your a car driver...........you have passed your test to drive a car, but you can only drive blue cars unless you pass another test to drive another colour car, like i said right or wrong ( but the law says its right i can drive a minibus, if i dont accept payment, right or wrong the law says i cant drive it if i get paid...doesnt make sense to me.

[LOZZER1]

please do if you know the answer, because DVLA/DSA dont

[THECORBYLOON]

I'm sure that one driver who passed his driving test the day the law changed was no more of a danger than had he passed it the day before. If you want to make money out of driving, why do you not think you should be of a higher standard and prove that you are?

[LOZZER1]

THECORBYLOON.........the issue is not money, the issue is DVLA/DSA are not bothered about your standard of driving as long as your not paid....so if i come and pick your child up and not get paid then thats fine, my argument is they dont give a stuff, a taxi driver who drives a 7 seeter minibus doesnt have to take the test so whats the difference if its got 14 seats in it, its still the same bus......PS do you work for DVLA/DSA?????

[LOZZER1]

no.knowledge
so what was the difference then in you driving for money or not driving for money, i am sure the lads chipped in for fuel when you took them to germany, therefore you was driviing for hire or reward, which meant you was driving illigally, or maybe you was just kind hearted and paid it all yourself

[kinell]

ok,

done of that will be much of a consideration when you look at the price of hire and reward insurance which you will legally have to possess,

also if you are driving kids around surely you must have had an enhanced crb check?

also if i was paying you to drive me somewhere i would want you to have passed a psv approved medical,

[burnhal]

what on earth has having an enhanced crb got to do with it?

[LOZZER1]

kinell
Ok well the next time you get in a 7 seater minibus taxi ask him if he as all that, the answer is no thats why they only have 7 seats, so whats the difference between driving one with 7 seats or 16 seats.....answer nothing

[LOZZER1]

burnhal
i agree nothing, although i have been crb checked for working with children, just wish someone could read and understand the question