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what is a pcv licence
Would you like to drive a bus or coach professionally?
You may have heard that you need to obtain a specific licence in order to carry passengers commercially and you’re wondering where to start. You probably have lots of questions including:
- What are the PCV licence requirements?
- Are there any PCV licence medical requirements?
- How long does it take to get a PCV licence?
- How much does it cost to get a PCV licence?
- Once I have a PCV licence what can I drive?
We will provide you with everything you need to know so that you are ready to take the next exciting steps towards a new career as a coach or bus driver.
What Is a PCV Licence?
First things first; PCV stands for Passenger Carrying Vehicle. Having your PCV driving licence allows you to professionally drive vehicles that carry passengers, such as buses, coaches, or mini-buses, in the UK.
Driving a passenger-carrying vehicle is obviously a job that carries with it a lot of responsibility, and understandably there are strict requirements in order to do so as a profession.
You must undergo extensive training to ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be a safe PCV driver.
However, once you have successfully obtained your licence, you will find a wide range of opportunities open up to you in the world of commercial driving.
Driving passenger-carrying vehicles for a living can be a varied and fulfilling profession – but first, you need to train and become licensed!
What Are the PCV Licence Requirements?
In order to get your licence, you have to meet the following requirements:
Age
You must be 18 or older.
Drivers licence
You need to hold a current, full drivers licence.
Medical
A medical examination is a necessary requirement. The purpose of this is to assess your health and confirm that you are fit to drive commercial vehicles. The medical exam is essentially the same as the HGV medical test. The medical is performed by a doctor, but it is the DVLA that decides if you are fit and healthy enough to drive a passenger carrying vehicle.
Driver training
You will need to complete practical training. The driver training course is necessary for you to learn how to properly and safely drive a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV).
Theory
The PCV licence theory test comprises two main parts; a 100-question multiple-choice test, and a hazard perception test, which is made up of 19 videos with associated questions. You must obtain a score of at least 85% for the multiple-choice section, and 67% on the hazard perception section, in order to pass.
Practical
The practical driving test takes approximately 90 minutes and is designed to assess your ability to drive a PCV. The test involves on-road driving in a bus or minibus as well as performing manoeuvres to demonstrate your driving skills.
Driver CPC
You need to complete a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Further training and testing is required to obtain this qualification and prove that you understand the essential practices and regulations involved in driving professionally. You will undergo a practical test to demonstrate your ability to deal with emergencies and show your understanding of vehicle checks and safety procedures.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
The CPC is a mandatory requirement if you want to drive a coach, bus or minibus professionally. It is also needed for you to drive a vehicle which carries more than nine passengers (if you are being paid to drive) or in order to drive a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.
Who needs it?
You need the CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) if you professionally drive a coach, truck or bus, or if you hold an equivalent licence to the PCV licence.
Does it need renewing?
Yes – you can maintain your CPC by completing 35 hours of training every five years.
What if I drive without having a CPC?
If you drive professionally without obtaining (or keeping up to date) your CPC, you could be looking at a £1,000 fine.
Are there any exemptions?
Certain exemptions include:
- Driving non-professionally (not being paid).
- Driving for your own business, for example: farming/agriculture, forestry, horticulture, fisheries, driving building materials for your own work.
- Driving as a favour for someone, without being paid.
Before driving any large vehicle it is always best to understand the rules (and possible exemptions) or risk being fined.
Do You Need a PCV Licence to Drive a Minibus?
The answer to this question is… it depends!
You need a PCV licence if:
- You are driving for profit
If you are a contracted, or self-employed minibus driver who is being paid to drive, then you need your PCV licence.
You need a PCV licence if:
If you are driving a minibus for non-commercial reasons, for example in a voluntary capacity, you may be able to drive a minibus without having a PCV licence.There are some specific requirements:
- Not for profit
As mentioned above, you must be driving the minibus on a purely non-professional basis and not being paid to do so.
- Drivers licence
You must hold a current driver’s licence that is at least 2 years old.
- Age
You must be 21 or older. If you are over 70 years old then you can still drive on your car licence but you will need to meet certain medical requirements and be medically approved on a yearly basis. The process is to submit a medical application.
- Vehicle requirements
The minibus must not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes, must not be more than 8 meters long, have no more than 16 seats, and mustn’t be towing a trailer.
In short: if you are driving a minibus in a non-professional capacity then you can do so providing you meet the qualifying requirements listed above.
If you want to drive a minibus commercially (even if it consists of only a few journeys) then you will need, at the least, the Category D1 licence.
What Are Some Examples of Voluntary Minibus Driving?
A minibus is a passenger carrying vehicle which is under 8 meters long and can carry 9-16 passengers. It is an extremely useful vehicle if you need to transport a group of people and a car isn’t large enough or appropriate to the situation.
Some examples of volunteer minibus driving include:
- Driving children to school or on a school trip, field trip, or activity.
- Taking elderly or disabled individuals for excursions, shopping trips, visits to the doctors or other appointments.
- Transporting club members to sporting events, matches, or training practice.
- Driving members of the community to places of worship.
- Transporting people who don’t have access to a car or public transport.
You can usually drive a minibus on a standard Category B car drivers licence provided the minibus meets the necessary requirements in terms of number of seats and maximum weight and length, and provided you are not being paid to drive (the driver can receive out-of-pocket reimbursement expenses).
Note: Although not mandatory, it is recommended that you undertake some minibus training, such as MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) which will give you a higher level of safety and awareness appropriate for transporting passengers in a minibus.
What Are the Different PCV Licence Categories?
If you intend to drive a coach, bus, or minibus in a professional capacity, then you need to obtain one of the higher-category licences. There are four of them, and here at HGVT we provide training for all of them.
The licence categories are:
Category D1
A category D1 licence allows you to drive a minibus that:
- Has up to 16 passenger seats
- Is no more than 8 metres long
- Doesn’t exceed a 750 kg trailer
Category D1E
The D1+E licence is similar to the D1 but:
- Permits trailers heavier than 750 kg
- The trailer mustn’t be heavier than the tow vehicle, and
- The combined weight of the tow vehicle and trailer can’t exceed 12,000 kg
Category D
With a category D licence, you are permitted to drive a bus or coach with:
- More than 16 passengers
- A trailer of up to 750 kg
Category DE
If you hold the D+E licence you can drive:
- D category vehicles (buses and coaches) with trailers heavier than 750 kg
This is the most advanced of the Category D licences which automatically gives you the rights for the lower D-category licences and allows you to drive the largest and heaviest buses and coaches.
If you are thinking of driving a coach or bus professionally, we suggest you consider carefully the type of vehicle you wish to drive professionally so you can train for, and obtain, the licence most appropriate for your needs.
What Is HGVT Training Like?
Here at the HGV training centre, we have earned a reputation for providing training that is practical, professional and effective.
Our training is intensive and fast paced because we have found that this is the method that gives our students the best chance to achieve success.
This intense style of training has resulted in a very high pass rate. In fact more than 90% of our students pass, and achieve their licence, the first time around!
We are very aware that every driver that comes to us for PCV training is an individual and, as such, learns at a different pace. Some trainees excel in the classroom but struggle more with the driving aspect, and others are the complete opposite.
This is perfectly natural and we incorporate different training strategies to ensure that all of our students are given the best opportunity to learn everything they need to know in order to be a safe and skilled driver, and to achieve their licence.
We know your time is precious, and our intention is for you to achieve your licence in weeks, rather than months, and our proven track record demonstrates that this is a highly achievable goal.
What Are the Steps to Getting Your PCV Licence?
Achieving your licence to allow you to drive buses and coaches professionally involves intense and thorough training, and you will need to pass several tests before you are fully qualified and licenced.
- Pass the medical
You need to be assessed by a medical professional, who will check your health, eyesight, and general fitness to safely drive a passenger-carrying vehicle.
Although it is a doctor who administers the medical exam, they then submit the necessary paperwork (the D4 medical examination report) to the DVLA, who will declare if you are medically OK to drive a PCV. For more information on this, see here.
- Apply for Provisional Entitlement
This is one of the first steps you need to take on your journey to becoming a professional passenger-carrying vehicle driver. While you are waiting for the provisional entitlement to arrive, you can begin to prepare for your drivers theory test.
- Take the theory test
The theory test is made up of two parts; a 100-question multiple-choice test, and a hazard awareness section which includes 19 videos alongside pertinent questions.
The theory test is designed with specific coach and bus related questions that wouldn’t necessarily apply to a different vehicle, for example someone training for their HGV licence. You will need to score at least 85% on the first section and 67% on the second. We will help you to prepare for your theory test.
- Case Studies
This test involves relevant case studies for the trainee to work through on the computer. Each case study includes six to eight multiple-choice questions. You will need to achieve 40 out of 50 in order to pass.
- Undertake practical skills training
Having your provisional entitlement, and passing the theory test, qualifies you to undergo the necessary practical skills training. This involves classroom studies in addition to time spent behind the wheel. The classes you need to take will depend on the specific licence you are going for.
- Take the Practical Skills Test
Once you have completed your practical skills training, it’s time to take the practical skills test. The test isn’t administered by us here at the HGV Training Centre, but we do send one of our trainers with you to the testing facility when the time comes for you to take the test.
This is the final step in the process to getting your licence, and once you have passed this test you can apply for jobs as a professional passenger-carrying vehicle driver.
Summary
Here at HGVT we provide training for all kinds of commercial vehicles, some drivers are drawn to transporting goods on the open motorways, while others prefer travelling within cities and towns carrying people to and from their destinations.
If driving a coach, bus or minibus appeals to you, then we can provide the training you need to achieve your PCV licence and start your new career driving a passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV).
