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Driving licence held before 1 January 2024

If you had entitlement to drive cars before 1 January 2024 you can drive a minibus provided it has a maximum of 17 seats including the driver's seat and is not being used for hire or reward. Your minibus entitlement will remain valid in the United Kingdom until your licence is next renewed.

Meeting higher medical standards

When your licence is renewed, your minibus entitlement can only be issued if you make a special application, which will involve meeting higher medical standards.

If your minibus entitlement is renewed, at the age of 70, you will normally be granted a licence for three years that will allow you to drive a minibus not for hire or reward. If your minibus entitlement is not renewed, the entitlement will no longer appear on your licence.

Driving under the permit scheme

To drive a minibus that has nine or more passenger seats for hire or reward you will normally need passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) entitlement. To obtain this you must meet higher medical standards and take a further driving test. However, if you drive a minibus for an organisation under the minibus or community bus permit scheme you will not need to have the higher PCV entitlements.

• Minibus and community bus permits

Vehicle category descriptions

Vehicle category descriptions, which appear on your driving licence, can be found on the link below.

• The vehicles you can drive or ride and minimum ages

Drivers who do not have minibus entitlement

If your driving licence does not allow you to drive a minibus, there are certain circumstances where you still may be able to do so.

• Driving passenger carrying vehicles (PCV) on a car driving licence

More useful links

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) information leaflet covering this subject can be downloaded or is available from DVLA local offices.

• Download 'Driving a Minibus (INF28)' (PDF, 616K)

• Download 'Guide to driving a minibus (INF241)' (PDF, 449K)

• Help with PDF files