This is the information I got last year DIRECT from the DVLA. I hope it helps.
I’m not convinced that it’s 100% correct though - as Daws said above, there doesn’t appear to be a restriction on the number of seats that a B driver can have; although the weight limit may well cause this in practice and it’s important to note that there are two categories of P19 - those for 16 or fewer seats and those for 17 and greater (and the 17+ is NOT transferrable to a smaller vehicle).
Does anyone have a link to the actual law that defines the entitlement? As the government’s own guidance seems to vary on the seats question.
Wow!!! the DVLA/ Gov website has changed a lot since last year…
Reading it you are correct the fixed limitation on seating has been removed
My recommendation is to just call the DVLA and discuss direct. Either way though you will need a permit 19 for the minibus
1 Like
That extra weight limit however only applies to the equipment; the remaining laden weight of the bus must still not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
You couldn’t for example fit a wheelchair lift weighing only 100kg as a means of magically allowing you to carry 4.15 tonnes instead of 3.5 (as I believe is basically being suggested by Daws).
(4)This subsection applies to any small bus which, when laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed to carry, weighs—
(a)not more than 3.5 tonnes, excluding any part of that weight which is attributable to specialised equipment intended for the carriage of disabled passengers, and
(b)not more than 4.25 tonnes otherwise.
Not sure that’s the right bit - I was talking about the 21, driving for 2 years, etc law.
Be very careful using legislation.gov.uk as a reference. It can take years for them to update when amendments are made.
Oh, I see…
In which case you want…
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999
Section 7(6):
1 Like
That’s the badger.
So no limit on seats there, but possibly with regards to Permit 19 (looks questionable whether you can drive a large bus without a proper D1 on a P19)
Aye, whilst one could certainly get a section 19 permit for a “large bus” i.e. more than 16 passenger seats (thus not requiring a PCV operators licence), the personal licence exemption under section 18 would not apply (as it only relates to a “small bus” upto 16 passenger seats) and the driver would require a D category on his licence (D1 being minibus only).
Indeed, even though you could drive a 25-seater, <3.5T bus (if such a thing existed) as a private citizen.