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:

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:

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 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:

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:

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:

Category D1E

The D1+E licence is similar to the D1 but:

Category D

With a category D licence, you are permitted to drive a bus or coach with:

Category DE

If you hold the D+E licence you can drive:

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.

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).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a PCV bus licence?

To drive a bus commercially you need a Category D licence.

What is the difference between PSV and PCV licence?

They both refer to the same thing, but PSV is the old term, meaning: ‘Public Service Vehicle. The new term is PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle).

How much does PCV licence training cost?

PCV licence costs can vary based on certain factors, such as your current level of experience and qualifications. If you contact us, a member of our friendly team will be happy to give you more information.

What if I need to renew my licence?

PCV licence renewal is a fairly straightforward process (and free). You would need to complete a D47P form (application for renewal of lorry and bus entitlement) as well as a D4 (medical examination report) form in order to renew your PCV licence.

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