What Is A Minibus?

A minibus is a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 but not more than 16 seated passengers in addition to the driver. This definition includes less obvious vehicles such as Land Rovers and other similar vehicles that have more than 8, but not more than 16 seated passengers.

Minibuses provide a variety of transport solutions. In a public transport role, they can be used as fixed route transit buses, airport buses, fexible demand responsive transport vehicles, share taxis or large taxicabs. Accessible minibuses can also be used for paratransit type services, by local authorities, transit operators, hospitals or charities. Private uses of minibuses can include corporate transport, charter buses, tour buses. Schools, sports clubs, community groups and charities may also use minibuses for private transport. Individual owners may use reduced seating minibuses as cheap recreational vehicles.

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Minibus Seat Belts

Minibuses first used on or after 1 October 2001 must have seat belts fitted by the manufacturer. The seat belts must be fitted in all forward and rearward facing seats, and must meet the technical requirements set out in European Directives. The Department for Transport’s website has a full explanation of the minibus seat belt legislation

It is the minibus driver’s responsibility to ensure that each child has fastened their seat belt . To help the minibus driver easily identify if any child in the minibus is not wearing their seat belt, the seat belts in the MAXUS School Bus are bright yellow so making it easier to check that all seat belts are fastened. 

Driving Safely

Operating a Minibus – need a steer on Minibus Legislation?

This guide gives you some useful tips on driving safely to ensure maximum protection for you and your passengers. Whilst many Minibuses are loaded with safety equipment and gadgets, it is not always wise to rely on these and the best solution is to avoid an accident in the first place.

In this section we will look at Minibus braking, Minibus Steering, Minibus Control and Minibus Speed.

Minibus Braking

Whilst being an essential part of everyday driving, hard braking can actually increase your chances of having an accident. When you brake hard, the nose of the vehicle points down and the rear rises up meaning your rear wheels lose grip. Combine this with driving around a bend and you could be in trouble. One good rule to follow is that braking should always be done whilst driving in a straight line therefore before or after a curve. If you are coming up to a curve, then try to brake before you have to turn the wheel to ensure you are travelling at a safe speed to negotiate the corner and you are in full control of the Minibus.

Wet or slippery roads can also be dangerous and in these situations you may need to adjust your braking by ‘pumping’ the brakes. This is known as cadence braking and prevents the wheels from locking which could result in a skid. Many Minibuses are now fitted with ABS which does this for you so it is always best to find out whether your Minibus has this fitted before you set off.

In summary, always brake carefully and allow yourself plenty of room to stop. Minibuses are generally big vehicles and therefore require a greater distance to come to a standstill.

Minibus Steering

At the risk of sounding like your Driving Instructor, it is essential that you keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible and don’t fall into the trap of leaning on the windowsill or keeping a hand on your lap. You hands should be on the top half of the steering wheel, ideally in the ‘ten to two’ position.

Tighten your grip when cornering or braking and steer gently and carefully on slippery surfaces. Always avoid changing gear whilst steering, it is more important to keep your Minibus pointing in the right direction than being in the correct gear! Try not to let your hands cross when steering and never let the wheel spin back on its own after cornering.

Minibus Control

Minbuses are generally large vehicles and when you are carrying passengers you need to be even more aware of your surroundings to help you plan your next move safely. As well as looking in your mirrors before a manoeuvre, you need to consider everything else around you especially if it could be a potential hazard. This could be anything from a pedestrian on the pavement ahead of you or a vehicle waiting to pull out of a side road. As well as being able to react to hazards when they occur, you need to plan your reactions before hazards occur as you may not have time to do this when they happen. Minibuses, especially when laden with passengers, will have blind spots so you need to overcome these by constantly checking your surroundings and being aware of what is around you.

As well as being aware of information you receive, you also need to consider the information you are sending out as the driver of a Minibus. Always indicate where required and only use the horn when safe and legal to do so. Never use lights or gestures to instruct a waiting vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian. Instead slow down or stop and let them make their own mind up about their next move.

Minibus Speed

Brakes are by far your best option to reduce speed but in some cases a simple lift off the accelerator may be appropriate if there is nothing behind you. Generally however, braking will give you the most control over your Minibus.

Many Minibuses are now fitted with speed limiters to restrict the maximum speed. If your Minibus does not have a speed limited fitted then you need to consider your speed carefully, especially if you are carrying passengers. Always abide by the legal speed limits and be conscious of speeds when cornering, Minibuses are generally tall vehicles and therefore tend to ‘roll’ more in corners.

Always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front and increase this distance as you increase your speed. Driving too close to the vehicle in front reduces your chances of stopping if they suddenly apply the brakes. As a general rule the ‘two second’ principle is a good one to follow but if the road is wet or slippery this should be extended to four seconds.

Finally, consider of the comfort of your passengers. Sitting in the back of a Minibus being thrown around in corners as well as forwards and backwards every time you brake and accelerate is no fun. Driving smoothly, braking gently and cornering safely will ensure a comfortable journey for your passengers.

Digital Tachographs

Do You Have To Fit A Tachograph To Your Minibus?    
    
The answer to this has always been YES if you are proposing to take a minibus with nine or more passenger seats outside the UK. Then a tachograph most certainly should be used and you will be required to comply with the EC Drivers' Hours Rules. They govern how many hours drivers are permitted to work and the timing and duration of the breaks they must take.    
    
Since 11th April 2007, in order to comply with new UK Driver's Hours Rules for vehicles with 9 to 16 passengers, tachographs have become mandatory for minibuses

Derogations from these regulations include:-   
   

1. Vehicles with 9 to 16 passengers (plus driver) used exclusively for the non-commercial carriage of passengers
2. Vehicles owned or hired without a driver and do not compete with private transport undertakings   
   

   
Existing exemptions which remain in force are:-   
   

1. Health bodies, ambulances or vehicles used to carry staff, patients, medical supplies or equipment
2. Local authority vehicles used for old people (and certain welfare provisions)   
   

   
Where the requirement for a tachograph may be ambiguous, the operator should contact their local VOSA office to confirm their obligations.   
   
Where a tachograph is required, then Vehicles registered from 11 April 2007 will require a tachograph fitted from new. This tachograph must be of the new digital format. Vehicles registered prior to this date will require a tachograph to be fitted retrospectively and these vehicles will have until 31st December 2007 to comply. During this period of compliance until a tachograph is fitted, drivers must keep an extract of the duty roster and service timetable.   
   
For vehicles registered from 1st May 2006 onwards, the tachograph must be of the digital format whilst vehicles registered prior to this date may have tachographs of the old analogue format fitted. 

Vehicles which were not originally required to be fitted with tachographs, but now required as of 11 April 2007, had until 31 December 2007 to ensure vehicles are fitted with a tachograph. A vehicle first registered before 1 May 2006 may be fitted with either an analogue or a digital tachograph. A vehicle first registered on or after 1 May 2006 must only be fitted with a digital tachograph.

What Is A Tachograph 
   
The purpose of a tachograph is to record an individual drivers’ driving activity, including the amount of time spent behind the wheel, distance travelled and the speed of the vehicle whilst it was in use.

In the case of an old analogue tachograph, all this information was recorded on to a disc or chart which was placed in to the unit at the start of the day by the driver and could record any driving activity within any 24 hour period per disc.    

Today the old analogue system has now been replaced by a new digital tachograph unit similar in size to a car radio. The discs or charts have now been replaced by a driver’s card similar in size to a credit card which can store driving activities for up to 28 days at a time.    

How Does A Minibus Digital Tachograph Work?   
The new digital tachograph unit operates by use of a minibus driver’s card which is inserted into the driver card slot located in the front of each unit. Each driver has his or her own individual card and should be used and kept with the driver at all times when undertaking any driving activity with a minibus equipped with a tachograph unit.

Driver’s cards are available from the DVLA at a cost of £38 each and will last for a period of 5 years.

The tachograph unit records time spent behind the wheel, distance traveled and the speed of the minibus whilst it was in use on the driver’s individual card as long as the card remains inserted. The unit and information can also be accessed by the police and VOSA to monitor and ensure compliance with driver’s hours regulations.

At the end of the driving day, all driving data can be collectively downloaded and stored along with all other driver information for all minibuses driven and owned by an operator via a “base unit” owned by the organisation
 

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Minibus Speed Limiters

A speed limiter (Road Speed Limiter / RSL) is a mechanical or electronic device which limits the maximum speed of a minibus. The basic function of the system is to limit the maximum speed of a minibus to a preset level whilst the throttle (accelerator) pedal is fully depressed. The current legal requirement for the maximum speed of a minibus is 100kph (62mph).    
    

Does a Road Speed Limiter need to be fitted?

Since 1st January 2008, all minibuses (old or new) must now have a road speed limiter fitted.