Our Training Locations
Our six training depots are located in: Portsmouth; Otterbourne; Aldermaston; Theale; Worthing and Havant. Our training centres are conveniently situated within the local areas of the following counties to provide the maximum coverage within: Hampshire; Isle of Wight; West Sussex; East Sussex; Surrey; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Berkshire; Wiltshire and the eastern side of Dorset.
How to gain your D1 licence
If you’re looking to obtain your Category D1 driver’s licence (Cat D1), the process that you need to complete will be outlined below:
- Complete your driver training
- Pass your DVSA practical test
Once you have completed all of the above steps, you will have obtained your minibus licence.
D1 minibus training facilities
Those candidates who opt to complete their D1 driver training at our Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Worthing or Theale sites will have access to our outstanding training facilities, including an on-site reversing area, giving our students a dedicated space to complete their reversing manoeuvres. We also have an immaculate fleet of training vehicles, all of which have automatic gearboxes.
Furthermore, our Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading and Worthing depots have fully equipped and air-conditioned classrooms, where our students can complete any theory training in a private and undisturbed area. One of our priorities here at 2 Start is to give our students the best training experience possible and to give them the highest chances of passing their training on the first attempt, which is why we have continuously invested, to ensure our facilities meet and surpass the highest available!
Minibus D1 Driver Training
We have a variety of Minibus D1 Training courses available that you can choose from. All training courses gives you the skills and knowledge to pass your practical driving test with confidence.
I am a teacher and I need to drive a minibus?
If you are a teacher in the private sector at a non-charitable school, you will need a full D1 minibus licence.
If you are a teacher in the state sector and drive under the CBPS, the area can be very complex and grey.
If you drive during school hours it can be considered as for payment. This needs a full D1 licence.
If you drive out of school hours it may not, however you are still teaching/supervising/have care and control therefore acting as a teacher you may fall back to the previous ‘during school hours’. Claiming the concession will certainly bring you to the notice of the authorities, especially if an accident arose causing damage or injury with the obvious risk of prosecution.
Also please check with your insurance company regarding the use of non – full ‘D1? licence holders to see if cover will still be in force.
Once you have obtained your D1 licence, you are then able to upgrade it to a D1+E, enabling you to pull a trailer.
D1 Removal of Restriction
If you passed your category B car licence before 1st January 1997 you would benefit from acquired rights (also known as grandfather rights). This means that you will already have the D1 entitlement added to your licence.
There is a further restriction to this, called a "101". You will find this restriction on your licence (if applicable). The 101 restriction means that you are not able to drive a D1 vehicle for hire and reward. You can drive a minibus of up to 17 seats for private use but if you wish to drive a minibus for hire and reward, you will need to sit and pass the D1 minibus tests.
If you passed your car (B+E) test after January 1997 you will need to take the relevant tests to obtain the category D1 on your licence.
How do I obtain my D1
If you passed your category B licence after January 1997 you would need to follow the steps below to obtain your category D1 licence:
- Apply for the D1 licence entitlement using the D2 provisional licence application form, we can supply this to you or you can get one online from the DVSA here: Order DVLA forms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Apply for and attend a medical examination using the D4 medical application form. Again, we can help you to book this part of the process and help you with the forms.
- Attend and pass the theory tests required. There are 2 if you wish to drive a D1 vehicle privately. If you want to drive a D1 vehicle (minibus) for hire and reward you will need to complete the third theory test which is the CPC Module 2 case study theory test.
- If you pass your D1 practical test and you wish you drive a minibus for hire and reward then you will need to take a further practical test which is the Module 4 CPC. This is a show me tell me practical where you are required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in areas such as vehicle safety, securing loads and your ability to manage emergency situations.
- Once you have passed your theory test, you will then begin your practical driver training. This is where you will learn how to drive the vehicle safely on the road and practice the manoeuvres required to pass the D1 practical test.
- When you are ready, and when your instructor thinks you are prepared, you will then complete your practical driving test.
What vehicle can I drive with a D1 category added to my licence?
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 your theory tests and completed your practical driver training and test, you will be legally able to drive a minibus.
Still Need Advice?
Our friendly team of advisors are on hand to help you make the right choice.
Why Train with 2 Start?
Call our advisors 02392 123 555
Speak with our experienced advisors Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm
