In the April Edition of the Gazette we carried an article about driving a minibus.

Scout Leader, Robert Morris, tells us of his experiences: 

The EXPERIENCES OF A YOUNGER DRIVER!

I just read the piece about minibuses in the April Gazette. I guess the question some people will be asking is "how do I hire a minibus if I meet the age requirements but passed my test after 1st January 1997 and I don't have D1?" The answer isn't as simple as laid out under the S19 explanation and the commentary around minibuses 

1. Request an application from the post office or direct from the DVLA and undertake a medical with your local GP. 

2. Assuming this is all clear, you then submit your application for D1 along with the medical report 

3. In around 5 working days you have your response and a provisional D1 

4. Next challenge is to purchase the Theory Test handbook for bus drivers; get used to the text and book a theory test. 

5. Once you've passed the theory, its time to contact a training company. Be sure to see that the company provides a minibus to learn in - this means that by default the vehicle will be test ready as no training company that values their reputation will turn up in something unsuitable! 

6. Although driving a minibus is a lot like driving a car it will probably take around 3-5 days of driving including the test day to re-learn how to drive using all the correct protocols. Some people find this difficult; others find it easy. 

7. On successful completion of the practical test the DVLA will apply the endorsement to your licence and you will then have no challenges hiring minibuses from commercial hire businesses.