​The Law

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Section 19 Permit - what is it ?

A Section 19 (Transport Act 1985) permit allows a minibus to be operated for hire or reward by the following organisations:



1. educational
2. religious
3. social welfare
4. recreational
5. activities of benefit to the community on a non-profit making basis

Application can be made to a voluntary organisation that is acting as an umbrella body or to the Traffic Commissioner. Local Authorities can also issue permits in some cases e.g. for schools. A driver of a Section 19 permit minibus can either be paid or an unpaid volunteer.

Type





​Minibus or MPV?

​This section will tell you the difference between the two:

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​MPVS
These are purpose built vehicle that will carry 7-8 people including driver, examples of MPV's are the Chrysler Grand Voyager, Renault Espace or the Kia Sedona. They are factory built vehicles that can qualify for certain discounts with certain insurers for example the minibus Plus Big Car scheme.

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​Minibuses
These too can either be purpose built vehicles or can be conversions from vans most minibuses will have at least 9 seats including driver and they can go up to a seating capacity of 17 including driver, examples of minibuses are the Mercedes Vito, Ford Transit or the Peugeot boxer.

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Any minibus which has seats removed must be re-register with the DVLA with its correct new seating capacity and the log book amended before we can insure it.

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