More minibus related queries, particularly for those who have them.
Is a Ford Transit 350 LWB SHR 15 seater one of those you can drive on a CAT B licence?
LDV Minibuses: If you have one, do you rate it?
TIA
LDV are junk they might as well be delivered made out of rust!
Transits are indestructible and can go anywhere, as for driving on a B Licemce depends on the vehicle weight. (Under 3.5 tonnes yes you can).
Ford around 2009/2010 changed the weight of the 15 seaters so there GVW was over 3500. Prior to that most non adapted versions were a fraction under 3500.
Look on the data plate which by memory is in the door frame of the passenger door. I believe the ones post 2009 are 3550 GVW which is D1 licence holders only.
Edit for clarity.
There will be 4 numbers on the plate and they are set out like below:
3500= Max Vehicle Weight GVM - Important one
4400= Max Vehicle and Trailer weight GTM
1250= Max Front axle load
1650=Max Rear axle load
On weights, although you can legally drive the under 3500 transits, the minibusses are stupidly close to the limit. You put 15 people in a bus and a little bit of kit and you are almost guaranteed to be overweight. VOSA are pulling minibusses all over the place and handing out hefty fines at the moment due to this.
I thought a Cat B licence was also limited to 9 seaters max?
You are correct theunknown, but there is an exception:
You might be able to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using your current car driving licence as long as there’s no payment from or on behalf of the passengers (it’s not for ‘hire or reward’).
You can drive a minibus within the UK as long as the following conditions apply:
- you’re 21 or older
- you’ve had your driving licence for at least 2 years
- you meet the ‘Group 2’ medical standards if you’re over 70 - check with your GP if you’re not sure you meet the standards
- you’re driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body
- the maximum weight of the minibus is not more than 3.5 tonnes - or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, for example a wheelchair ramp
- you’re not towing a trailer
The tricky part is the whole Hire/Reward thing that as of this moment has not been tested fully in court. Although the rumour mill currently is that someone is going through the process.
But that’s as long as you get a permit 19 right?
Yes in a nutshell for us. But it doesnt remove the requirement to hold a valid B (over 21 and under 3500 etc) or D1 licence for a specific vehicle based on its weight / seats.
If you have any choice, avoid any LDVs. I’ve never driven a good one and the engine/gearbox combos mean you may as well pedal.
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They went bust for a reason…
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The older LDV Convoy had a Transit engine and box but the rest of the vehicle was garbage; they would fall apart at a rate of knots even from new. We had one at 635 VGS, mechanically reliable if pedestrian drivetrain was it’s only redeeming feature. They were cheap enough when new though and consequently sold well to fleet buyers including Lex who supplied the MoD white fleet at the time. I briefly worked for the Manchester LDV/DAF dealership and pitied our after sales department, they were inundated, however I’ve no experience of the later Maxus model as I’d moved on before that model came out. My current employer has a large fleet of Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter and Renault Master vehicles that are worked hard, we have also had Transits in the past. Each has its pros and cons but if I was spending my own money I’d be looking at 1. Transit, (still baffled as to why our firm ever got rid of them) 2. Merc Sprinter and 3. Renault Master. I’d be giving Fiat (and possibly badge sharing Citroen/Peugeot models) a wide berth; from experience they have more frequent problems than the others and parts prices are astronomical.
Mercedes Sprinters are reliable and take lots of punishment, but they are the most expensive!
I’d go for a Renault, they seem to have a decent blend of value, quality and reliability (note that this also includes the Vauxhall and Nissan range, which are exactly the same).