D1 License Minibuses

D1 Licence Minibus Leasing Solutions

A lot of our customers don't know the difference between a D1 and Non-D1 minibus. It refers to the entitlement you have on your driving licence. You can drive a D1 minibus (and be paid to do so) if you have D1 entitlement on your driving licence.

The majority of D1 licence minibuses we sell are the factory-built Ford minibus of between 14 -17 seats. These vehicles leave the factory as a minibus and are therefore heavier than converted panel van minibuses. 

Having D1 entitlement on your licence means you can drive up to 16 passengers in a minibus with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) over 3.5 tonnes and be paid to do so. There are two ways to obtain D1 entitlement; you may have inherited D1 (101) entitlement on your car driving licence if it was issued before 1st January 1997, or you can complete D1 driver training.

D1 Driver training involves an eyesight and medical check, theory and practical driving test. Anyone with a standard car licence can take D1 driver training, even if they already have inherited D1 entitlement. You can also take automatic only D1 triver training. 

D1 Electric Minibuses 

Until recently (June 2025) all electric minibuses with 9+ seats required D1 entitlement to drive but the UK regulations changed and now non-D1 drivers can drive an electric minibus with a GVW of up to 4250kg. This change does not apply to diesel vehicles. 

D1 minibuses under a Section 19 Permit 

If you are operating under a Section 19 Permit and having a D1 minibus means you will be able to pay your drivers as they will have D1 entitlement. 

If your drivers don't have D1 entitlement they may still be able to drive a minibus but it will have to have a GVW of 3.5 tonnes or under, and these drivers can not receive payment to drive.  

There is some debate as to whether teachers driving on a standard car licence are doing so as ‘volunteers’ and for social purposes – conditions of the Section 19 Permit or whether they are being paid. This is because they are driving as part of their teaching role. 

We can help present the arguments on this point, but if you have concerns we recommend you seek specialist legal advice on this matter. 

What is clear is that having drivers with D1 entitlement removes this issue completely.

D1 minibuses under a PSV Operator's Licence

D1 Minibuses are a perfect choice for anyone operating under a PSV Operator's Licence, as all their drivers will have D1 and CPC. 

D1 Driver training

If you are interested in D1 driver training for your staff then please get in touch. There are several advantages of training with Rivervale Minibus compared to other providers: 

1. We will monitor your candidates revision progress on the theory test, if we feel they are not ready we will tell you. 
2. Our driver trainers are all ADI (Advance Driver Trainers) 
3. Our ADIs can come to your premises in their own minibuses so there is no pick-up and drop-off issues, and you will not have to lose a minibus. 
4. We only train one-to-one for the best chance of candidates passing first time. 
5. Our practical training and test takes place over two days, so you will only be without your member of staff for a very limited period.