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students in their union: clubs and societies handbook 2002/3tem of driving licences. To drive a minibus, which has 9 to 16 passenger seats for hire or reward, the driver wouldnormally have to hold a PCV (Category D1) licence, which would entail taking a special test, and meeting specifiedmedical standards.holders of ordinary car driving licences held before 1 January 1997Drivers who hold a green or pink Group A (Group B for vehicles with automatic transmission) driving licence or alater style pink and green Category B and Category D1 (whether containing automatic transmission or not) drivinglicence are entitled to drive minibuses with up to 17 seats, including the driver’s, not for hire or reward provided theyare aged 21 or over.If the minibus which is being driven is being operated under a Small Bus Permit and the driver falls into either of thetwo situations mentioned in the preceding paragraph the driver is exempt from having to hold a PCV (Category D oreven D1) licence in the same way as the operator is exempt from holding a PSV operator’s licence.holders of ordinary car driving licences who passed their text after 1 January 1997If a special PCV (Category D1) test has not been passed the driving licence will not on the face of it allow the drivingof minibuses. However, a driver who has passed his/her test since 1 January 1997 and holds only a car (Category B)driving licence will still be entitled to drive minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats “on behalf of a non-commercialbody for social purposes but not for hire or reward” (unless the vehicle is being operated under a Small Bus Permit).Provided s/he has held a full car (Category B) licence for not less than two years, is aged 21 or over and receives nopayment, or consideration for the driving, other than out-of-pocket expenses, and the maximum authorised mass ofthe minibus does not exceed specified limits and no trailer is attached to it.driving abroadAll entitlements on British licences will continue to be accepted at face value during temporary visits to otherEU/EAA countries. That means that drivers who passed their tests before 1 January 1997 and hold licences showingeither Groups A or B, or Category B + D1 not for hire or reward are entitled to drive minibuses of up to 16 passengerseats in Great Britain and EU/EAA countries. Providing that the travel does not involve hire or reward; in other wordscan be specifically shown to be a non-commercial activity.However, minibuses operated under the Section 19 Small Bus Permit scheme have to be regarded as being operatedfor hire and reward and so as public service vehicles in this connection. It will not, therefore, be possible to drive sucha minibus in another EU/EAA country unless the driver holds a PCV (Category D1 or D) licence.81