I Was Asked Today If I Would Drive The Works Minibus.

[RATTER15]

I said "yes" she then asked if I have had the D1 classification. I said yes. she said I will still need to do the "Midas Course".


I have driven minibuses before in exactly the same situation without additional training, maybe it an insurance thing peculiar to this company?

[boxtops]

Thanks Graham, that's helpful. None of our trips have paid drivers. We thought we were correct but it's good to have it confirmed.

[RATTER15]

Anne, the surgeon has just requested another appointment to see her, with only 5 days notice (she sees him tomorrow) the appointment to have her temporary knee replacement is currently on the 9th of September.

[Hopkirk]

Boxtops, you should be OK as you say your drivers are on a voluntary basis.

Ratter, you have a problem if it is a large minibus of 9 - 16 seats, as you are being paid to do it. If it is 8 seats or less you are OK, but wouldn't need D1 anyway.

[RATTER15]

I will see if I can find out the size of the vehicle, I think they are buying a new one.

[Graham-W]

I think you're getting into a dodgy area. If you are being paid to drive the minibus you are breaking the rule: you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body.
I suspect that driving the minibus is part of your duties and you are not "volunteering" to drive it.

[RATTER15]

//I suspect that driving the minibus is part of your duties and you are not "volunteering" to drive it.//

Correct.

[Graham-W]

Worth checking on with someone more knowledgeable than me before plod gives you a tug.

[anneasquith]

good luck for tomorrow, C.

[shoota]

This is clear..................as mud ;-)
http://www.minibuswebsite.com/htm/o_licensing_hirereward.html

[shoota]

If 9-16 seats you could follow the 'care home' trail from here:
http://www.minibuswebsite.com/htm/o_licensing_h.html

[RATTER15]

I clearly need to find out more about this from my employers, I'm thinking they know what they are doing but I like to make sure, it could be my license on the line here.

[shoota]

I know that when the regulations changed about half the Met Police's carrier drivers were suddenly driving illegally. ;-)

[sddsddean]

One other question ratter...have you got your DriverCPC? I think you should have one, as you are being paid to drive (even if it is for a charity) and if you haven't passed you DriverCPC for PCV's you have been driving illegally since September last year. If you've got it, fine...everything is tickety boo!

[boxtops]

It's not a PCV though, that's my understanding - it's a private minibus used to carry the individuals in ratter's care setting. That's the same for us, in the voluntary group we use our bus for.

[AlwaysConfused]

In a home delivery operation, my workplace are currently using the AA to provide advanced training for our van drivers in order to reduce accidents and therefore minimise maintenance costs. My drivers have so far learnt quite a few tips that have helped SAVE time on the road/deliveries. Additional training is a good thing. Good luck and have fun

[sddsddean]

I know what you're saying box tops, but a D1 is comparable to a C1 LGV and you need a DriverCPC for that. I know it's a grey area, but in my opinion he is driving for hire and reward('cos he is being paid) and I think you need the CPC. I could be totally wrong, but it is probably worth a phone call to the local traffic area office.

[Hypognosis]

@sddsddean

'hire or reward' is a phrase usually understood to mean bus or taxi-like activity.
RATTER15's principal duties are not the driving so I doubt it applies to him.

I had to look up "CPC" - Certificate of Professional Competence
The acronym police will pop round for a quiet word with you, later.
;-)

[Ellipsis]

> 'hire or reward' is a phrase usually understood to mean bus or taxi-like activity.
> RATTER15's principal duties are not the driving so I doubt it applies to him.

Exactly. Worth checking, as things may have changed, but AFAIK unlikely to be an issue. For example, many teachers also drive children around in minibuses on school trips. They are paid to be teachers, so theoretically there is a "reward" element, but the reward doesn't come (directly) from the passengers and driving a minibus is not a principal duty of a teacher.

[boxtops]

I believe we are OK not to have CPC certification (and I know what it is, OH is undergoing the update for his day job at the moment). We are part of a larger organisation and our umbrella organisation understands these things, we'd have been notified if this were the case. D1 (D1E who need to tow the trailer too) are all that is required of us at the moment.