Minibus Training



Getting qualified

To become a bus or minibus driver you need to:

• have a full car licence
• be over 18
• get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

You must have the full Driver CPC if you drive an HGV, Bus or Minibus as the main part of your job.

There are 5 tests that make up the full Minibus License (D1). You might not need to take all 5 tests, for example if you previously qualified as an HGV driver and you want to retrain.

If you’re qualifying for the first time

• Apply for a provisional bus licence.
• Pass the 5 tests that make up the Driver CPC to qualify.
• Take 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to stay qualified.

You need to renew your bus licence every 5 years, and every year when you reach 65.

If driving is not the main part of your job or the vehicle is exempt

You might not need the full Driver CPC to drive an HGV or bus, for example if you:

• want to carry passengers or goods for personal use and not commercially
• only drive for certain tasks, like taking the vehicle to test centres
• drive as part of your job, but it is not the main part of your job