Driving an empty bus on a car licence?

[Salad Dodger]

Is it true that you can drive a double decker bus on a normal car licence providing it has no passengers on it?

[SlackAlice]

Yes, provided that it is not operating on a bus route as a public carriage vehicle or for 'hire or reward'.

[kempie]

http://www.directgov.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Driver Licensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG _4022619

[Panic Button]

Are you sure Salad? Surely if it has more than 8 seats it would require a D licence.

[SlackAlice]

Sorry forgot the age limit :( must be over 21.

[sddsddean]

I'm pretty sure you are wrong SlackAlice, as a double decker would certainly be over 3.5T and probably over 7.5T. You would have to hold a D licence. If you have a C licence (LGV 7.5T+) you can drive a bus if it is being driven to an MOT station or to have work done prior to an MOT. You may not carry passengers, except those that are involved in the MOT work. If that is the proviso for an LGV driver, I can't see them letting car drivers out on a bus.

[kempie]

The weight restriction does not apply to historic vehicles.
Thus a double deck bus manufactured 30 years before the date it is being driven is given exempted vehicle status (even when carrying up to 8 non-fare paying passengers).

[Panic Button]

Apologies Salad, I should have said are you sure Slack Alice.

Mind you I typed so slowly that Kempie had already posted the link that answered it.

[SlackAlice]

OK I stand corrected, it was some time ago I got my PCV!
The chances of a car driver being allowed to drive a double decker is a moot point. Not aware of any bus companies that would let them hire one or even borrow one bearing in mind they cost about �150,000plus! For that money I'd rather have a Bentley!

[trucker 1]

you are not allowed to drive any vehicle that you are not licenced to drive, laden or unladen.