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Minibus PCV
By obtaining a D1 category on your licence you will be able to drive a minibus. The DVSA define this as vehicles with:
- No more than 16 passenger seats
- A maximum length of 8 metres
- A trailer up to 750kg
Once you have applied for a provisional licence, completed a medical, sat and passed your theory tests and completed your practical driver training and test, you will be legally able to drive a minibus. Our Private Use Package will give students all the skills and knowledge that they need to safely operate a D1 category vehicle and pass their 3a and 3b driving tests.
Category D1
What’s Included
- Getting your D1 licence entitlement opens up many avenues regarding job roles. From schools and retirement homes, to airport taxi service
- Learn the fundamentals of driving a minibus with passengers
- Practice reverse training in an enclosed practice area to help build your confidence
- Receive training from experienced and accredited instructors
Course Modules
- *D2 provisional licence application form.
- *D4 medical form.
- Your D4 form is to be completed by the doctor when you have your medical.
- Medical review.
- Booked on your behalf at a location local to you and at a time that is convenient.
- Theory revision training platform access.
- Login credentials will be issued to you once our team have setup your account and onboarded you for the correct training. Once your login credentials have been received, you can start to revise your theory tests in preparation for your test.
- **Multiple Choice Theory tests booked.
- Booked on your behalf at a location local to you and at a time that is convenient.
- **Hazard Perception Theory test booked.
- Booked on your behalf at a location local to you and at a time that is convenient.
- 10.5, 14 or 17.5 hours of dedicated driver training, this time will also include your 3a off-road test as well as your 3b on-road practical driving test with the DVSA examiner.
- Training conducted with an experienced and knowledgeable Minibus instructor.
- Use of our modern D1 Minibus to provide real world experience for anyone who has never driven a minibus before.
- Use of our modern air-conditioned classrooms to make your training experience much more comfortable.
- Covered by our vehicle Insurance at no extra cost.
- All vehicle fuel is included with your training at no extra cost.
*Assistance in completing the forms is available upon request.
**These can be booked individually or together.
Course Benefits
Accredited Training Company
DVSA Approved Training Areas
Experienced Instructors
Course Durations
10.5 Hours
14 Hours
17.5 Hours
Vehicle Requirements
Whether or not you are planning to operate for profit will depend on the requirements you must adhere to.
You can operate a Category D1 Minibus in the UK voluntary (not for profit) as long as you meet the following criteria:
- 21 years old and over
- Held your Category B (Car) licence for at least two years
- You meet group 2 medical standards
- the maximum authorised mass (MAM) is no more than 3.5 tonnes – plus up to 750kg of equipment for disabled passengers.
- You are not towing a trailer attachment
Ongoing Requirements
Once you pass your PCV Minibus Category D1 test, you must complete additional training to stay legally compliant when driving or operating a Category D1 minibus.
To remain qualified, you need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training every five years if you’re driving for profit. You can choose to complete this as a single 5-day block or spread it out,for example, one day each year over five years. Either way, you must finish the full 35 hours within the five-year period.
Importantly, you cannot repeat the same CPC course within the same five-year cycle. Therefore, it’s essential to plan your training schedule carefully and select a variety of approved modules.
By staying on top of your Driver CPC requirements, you’ll not only remain compliant but also improve your skills and safety awareness as a professional minibus driver.
Test Requirements
For each stage of your training, you will be required to undergo a test, this will be a combination of both theory and practical driver-based tests.
- Your medical will be conducted by a qualified medical examiner (local doctor or GP).
- For the theory and CPC aspects of the course which will include the case studies, the multiple choice, hazard perception and Driver CPC tests, these are typically conducted on a PC in a controlled test environment at a dedicated testing location local to you.
- The 3a (off-road) test is conducted by one of our DVSA approved examiners and the actual test will take place on one of our DVSA approved testing areas at our training location which you will have used for practicing throughout your training course. We currently have six 3a test areas for this part of the courses across our 6 training depots. This test will require you to demonstrate to the examiner that you can competently manoeuvre the vehicle to the standards required which will include a reverse up to our dedicated reversing barrier and for certain categories, you will also be required to conduct an “S” shaped manoeuvre as well.
- The 3b (on-road) practical test is conducted by an official DVSA examiner who will meet you in our reception area, confirm your credentials and begin your practical test for the vehicle category in question. You will be required to drive a specific route with a certain selection of challenges that have been specifically chosen, these will cover Urban, Rural and dual carriage way driving to allow the examiner to see you demonstrate your competency and capability to drive and manoeuvre the vehicle safely and in line with the rules and laws of the UK roads. To pass you must achieve a successful drive with no more than 12 driving faults or any serious driver faults or more than 4 habitual minor faults which can be deemed a major by the examiner. This is at the examiners discretion and their decision is final.
Further Training
If you plan to operate a minibus for hire or reward, you must complete your initial Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training. This includes both the Module 2 CPC Case Study and the Module 4 Practical Demonstration, which involve hands-on training and testing.
Once you complete both modules, you’ll receive your Module 4 certificate, which remains valid for five years. In addition, you’ll be issued a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which you must carry while driving professionally.
Looking to expand your qualifications? You can upskill from a Minibus (Category D1) to a Category D Coach licence. By doing so, you’ll gain the ability to carry more than 16 passengers, opening up more job opportunities in the passenger transport industry.
Overall, completing your CPC and upgrading your licence can significantly enhance your professional driving career.
Earning Potential
As a licenced Minibus (PCV) driver that has Category D1 entitlement, you will be able to drive a vehicle carrying up to 16 occupants including the driver.
The pay range for a minibus driver in the United Kingdom in 2024 is between £19k through to £30k. The national average is £24,002 currently according to Glassdoor Salaries.
Who is this course for?
Our Category D1 Minibus (PCV) courses are ideal for anyone who wants to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats. Whether you’re transporting people for work or leisure, this licence lets you carry passengers legally and confidently. This training suits a wide range of groups, including sports teams, military personnel, club tours, and weekend event organisers. It’s also a great fit for business staff transport, airport taxi drivers assisting families going on holiday, and those working in the education sector, such as school or college staff organising student day trips.
This course is ideal for anyone with a valid car licence that is looking to drive a minibus for personal or commercial use (Our removal of restriction course is ideal for personal use) as well as those looking to drive a minibus (PCV) for work requirements and would be classed as driving for “Hire & Reward”, i.e. being paid to drive the vehicle or provided some form of compensation for driving.
If you need to tow a trailer with your minibus, our D1+E driver training course is the ideal next step. By completing it, you gain the skills and entitlement to tow heavier loads safely and in full compliance with DVSA regulations.
What can I drive with a Category D1 licence?
After passing your Category D1 practical test (Part 3b), you gain the entitlement to drive a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV)—commonly known as a minibus. This vehicle can carry up to 16 passengers and must not exceed 8 metres in length.
However, with the Category D1 licence alone, you’re only permitted to tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg. If you plan to tow a heavier or larger trailer, you’ll need to upgrade your entitlement. In that case, we recommend enrolling in our Category D1+E Minibus & Trailer courses. These courses provide the training and qualification needed to legally and safely tow trailers that exceed the standard weight limit. By choosing the right course, you’ll ensure you’re fully compliant with DVSA regulations and equipped for a wider range of passenger transport scenarios.
Vehicles you can drive with this licence category include:
- Category D1 Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) Minibus with a maximum of 16 passenger seats, a maximum length of 8 meters and towing a trailer no heavier than 750kg.
What will you receive upon successful completion of this course?
After passing your D1 Minibus test, the DVSA examiner will issue your certificate immediately. This document serves as your official licence until your photocard is updated.
Next, you must send your driving licence card to the DVLA so they can add your new category entitlement. Once processed, the DVLA will return your updated licence, which officially includes your Category D1 entitlement. Keep in mind, this process can take several weeks.
During that time, your paper certificate remains valid, so you must keep it safe. Once your photocard licence returns, it will supersede the paper certificate. You’ll see your new Category D1 entitlement clearly listed on the back of the updated card.
At 2 Start Training, we are proud to be a DVSA-approved training centre. We currently operate across six DVSA-approved 3a training and testing areas, all dedicated to our logistics driver training programmes.
In addition, we offer Part 3a (off-road) exercises and tests across a wide range of vehicle categories. As a result, our students receive high-quality, up-to-date training aligned with current DVSA standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive a minibus without D1 on my licence?
If you are planning on driving a Category D1 Minibus with up to 16 passenger seats, you must have the D1 entitlement on your driving licence. Only reason a D1 may not be required is because all of the following exceptions are met: The driver is over the age of 21 years old, the minibus vehicles overall maximum weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the vehicle is only being used for social purposes and not for or by a company (Commercial entity).
How hard is it to get a D1 licence?
Obtaining your D1 Minibus licence is straight forward enough, but does require that you are over 21 years old, have held your licence for at least 2 years and do not have more than 6 penalty points. Our advisors are on hand to help you every step of the way.
Why Choose 2 Start?
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THE TEAM4 Past student reviews for Minibus PCV
Only logged in students who have purchased this course previously may leave a review.
Poppy Rhodes –
Really enjoyed the course, would recommend to anyone! Will is really lovely but so are the rest of the staff, felt at home whilst onsite.
Jacky Potgieter –
Awesome skills at teaching and making you feel comfortable. These guys are great.
Kit Carson –
Excellent experience, explanations and attitude.
Yasmin Brookes –
Dell made me feel confident and comfortable even though I was nervous. He really helped me on the course and helped me remember.