Reducing Passenger Seats In A Minibus From 11 To 8 - Insurance Implications?

[wiltsman]

I help run a minibus to assist our elderly villagers getting around, and we now wish to reduce the number of its passenger seats from eleven to eight.

Now, that would mean the vehicle would no longer officially be a minibus and therefore not be bound to the restrictions applying to minibuses.

It would mean that anyone over seventy, who had not passed a medical specifically aimed at over seventies wishing to drive minibuses, could still drive an eight seater.

The committee member who handles our insurance administration has recently been admitted to hospital very ill and I think it will be some time before he will be back home to sort things out.

Obviously, nothing will be done until the insurance is sorted out, but I was wondering if there is any ABer who can tell me the implications of our proposed change?

I have contacted VOSA and there will be no problems as regards its MOT.

[Maydup]

Could you ring the insurance company and ask them to requote on the same policy but on a vehicle reduced to 8 seats, therefore including older drivers? There will be no obligation to proceed but it might be better to have the actual cost rather than a guess.

[ojread2]

Surely you will need public liability?
Would you also not still have to be registered with your local council?
Then you will need insurance within their guidelines
CRB checked as well?

Or is it run by the villagers for the villagers?

[wiltsman]

Maydup - You're probably right, it's just that at the moment, we can't find the insurance company's name. I know, more than just one person should hold the those details. We're a very small outfit, I'll see if our secretary can find the name we're looking for.

I think in the future we need to be a bit more professional regarding insurance details, and not leave everything to one person.

[wiltsman]

ojread - It's yes to all your questions - and as soon as I can trace the insurance details then we can find the answer to my question. It's just that I was wondering if there was anyone out there who could give me a few pointers in the meantime.

[woofgang]

Its very worrying that you haven't got the insurance certificate where it is accessible. What wold happen if you had a bump and needed to exchange insurance details?

[wiltsman]

Things are moving quickly - our secretary has just contacted me to say the insurance documents have been traced, the insurers have been contacted and there is no problem in reducing the seats in the minibus.

Thank you Maydup and ojread2 for your input.

So, I better say, this correspondence is now closed. Thanks again.

[wiltsman]

Your valid point is note woofgang.

[wiltsman]

^^^ noted

[Hopkirk]

You may be aware of the requirements, but note page 16 of this publication.

I think this link will take you straight to the page.

http://www.dfcminibuses.co.uk/pdf/BVRLA%20Guide%20to%20Driving%20a%20Minibus%20081211.pdf

[askyourgran]

It used to be 9 seats including the driver for hire and reward, you need the Psv licence as a minibus. If it has seven passengers plus a seat for the driver that would be OK you would not qualify under passenger vehicle ruling. It is a good while since had dealings with this wiltsman so please don't take my word for it but I would re-word your query to VOSA or a Traffic Examiner at VOSA.

[wiltsman]

Thank you.