Minibus Driver Training Course

This course is for not-for-profit organisations that use minibuses.

The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) is a national standard for assessing minibus drivers. It’s free to join for organisations that provide transport non-commercially for the benefit of the community.

Groups like this can charge a fee to people using their minibus, without the driver needing a passenger-carrying licence. But they need a permit to do this.

See gov.uk not for profit passenger transport permits.

The course costs £99 (standard course) or £168 (accessible course) per person, based on a minimum of six course delegates. It will help improve your minibus skills and make you a safer driver.

What sort of course is it?

You’ll learn how to reduce risks, be aware of your passengers, and be safer on the road.

If you complete the training, you’ll get a certificate showing you meet the MiDAS standard. To keep this recognition you would need to go on a refresher course within four years.

There are two versions of the course available:

- Standard MiDAS course:

There’s a classroom-based session, followed by a one-to-one driving assessment in your vehicle on the road.

- Accessible MiDAS course:

This course is if you use a wheelchair accessible minibus with passenger lift. The Standard MiDAS course forms part of the Accessible course. There’s a further classroom-based session, and a one-to-one demonstration of specialist seatbelt and lift equipment.

Check if you have the correct vehicle and licence

You can go on this course if you drive a passenger-carrying vehicle with between nine and 16 passenger seats – not including the driver.

Your driving licence tells you if you are in the correct category:

Driving licence held from before 1 January 1997

Your licence needs to show category D1. It means you can drive a minibus without taking an additional minubus driving test.

Driving licence held from 1 January 1997 onwards

If your licence shows category B (car) you can drive a minibus if:

you only use it for non-commercial purposes, and not for individual payment or reward except expenses
you are 21 or older
you have had a category B licence for at least two years
the minibus weighs no more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes if there is equipment for disabled passengers)
you do not tow a trailer

If you are 70 or over you need to make a special application, and meeting certain medical standards.

You must have the correct vehicle and driving licence to go on this course.

Check if you have the correct vehicle and driving licence.