Do you need “D1″ on a driving licence to be able to drive a minibus?

The simple answer is “maybe”

The law around who needs category D1 on their licence and who doesn’t is a complicated one and depends on a range of factors. The key question is whether the driver is being paid to drive the minibus, whether the minibus is being driven “for hire or reward”, and whether the vehicle is over 3.5tonnes.

For detailed information please refer to the following:

• Link to DfT D1 info on DfT website
• Link to DVLA leaflet “Driving a Minibus” [.pdf]
• Link to DVLA guidelines on Incidental driving of minibuses [.pdf]
  
• Link to guidance to schools from Department for Education

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Completing the MiDAS course does NOT result in D1 being added to your driving licence.