Minibus Drivers (OBUHSN-27)

Drivers who hold full entitlement to drive before 1 st January 1997 (GROUP A [B for automatics] on an old style licence or as CATEGORY B and D1 on a current style licence) can drive a minibus provided that they are 21 or over, the minibus has a maximum of 17 seats including the driver's seat and it is not being used for hire or reward.

Drivers who obtained full entitlement to drive (CATEGORY B) on or after 1 st January 1997 will normally only be able to drive vehicles with no more that 9 seats including the driver's seat, unless they take an additional DVLC driving test. However they will be able to drive a minibus with a maximum of 17 seats including the driver's seat without having to obtain category D1 provided:

• the vehicle is used for social or domestic purposes by a non-commercial body but not for hire or reward
• they are aged 21 or over
• they have held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years
• they are providing their service on a voluntary basis
• the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes excluding any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers. Minibuses up to 4.25 tonnes will be permitted in certain circumstances.

Drivers with current endorsements must be referred to the Risk & Insurance Officer (Directorate of Finance & Legal Services) for clearance by the University's insurers. All Licences must be checked for the appropriate driving categories. If in any doubt as to the categories, authorisation to drive must be withheld and advice sought from DVLC Swansea.

Volunteer minibus drivers can be defined as members of staff or students who drive other members of staff and/or students on field trips, visits, sports activities etc, on an occasional basis.

A person, notified to the Safety Officer, should be nominated in every Faculty/Directorate that has volunteer drivers to ensure that when a minibus is booked, the volunteer driver meets all of the requirements below.

• be at least 21 years old
• have at least two years driving experience on a full driving licence
• hold a current driving licence with the correct driving classifications
• passed a University medical examination (section 7)
• passed a University minibus driving assessment (section 8)
• The same control measures must apply if the vehicle is owned by Oxford Brookes University or hired from an outside agency.

In the event of a driver having a licence with endorsements, the eligibility of the person to drive a minibus on behalf of the University will be determined on a case by case basis, dependant on the number of endorsements and the offence for which they were issued.

Volunteer minibus drivers must pass a minibus driving assessment (Appendix 5) which will be conducted by a member(s) of Oxford Brookes University staff (who will have received specialist training). On completion of a successful driving assessment, the volunteer driver will be issued with a certificate that will entitle them to drive minibuses for five years (subject to successful medical examination).

Records of all the results of minibus driving assessments will be kept in confidence by the Safety Officer and/or Senior Occupational Health Advisor.

University drivers, volunteer drivers and/or contractors who drive University staff/students, must inform the Safety Officer of any subsequent licence endorsements.

Driving Assessors will be nominated in the relevant Faculty/Directorate to train and assess the driving standards of the volunteer drivers. The minimum qualifications for the driving assessors will be the Institute of Advanced Motoring Minibus Test or a test of an equivalent standard to be determined at the time.

It may not be necessary for every Faculty/Directorate to have its own assessor. Agreements to share driving assessors between Faculties and Directorates may be appropriate. As a guide the University will require four assessors.

A list of assessors is given in Appendix 3.

All minibuses purchased, leased or hired must have seat belts fitted to all seats. These should, as far as possible, be lap and diagonal belts, but where this is not feasible, lap belts should be fitted. New minibuses must not have any sideways facing seats. Seat belts must be worn at all times. The most senior member of staff present or the driver must ensure that they are worn.

Additional driver training for towing trailers will be required. If a trailer is being towed, no passengers may be carried behind the front row of seats unless there is a side door that is easily accessible to passengers. Before towing a trailer, the following checks must be carried out to ensure:

• that the vehicle being used is appropriate for this use (seek professional advice through the Safety Office if any doubt)
• that the gross weight of the vehicle plus the trailer is within the vehicle’s gross weight limit
• that the kerbside weight of the towing vehicle is clearly marked on the front nearside of the vehicle
• that the downward force from the loaded trailer on the towing ball is within the limits imposed by the towing vehicle manufacturer
• that the axle loads of the towing vehicle are not exceeded
• that a breakaway chain is in use, which will activate the handbrake should the coupling break. Advice on this matter should be sought from the trailer manufacturer or approved dealer
• that the unladen weight of the trailer and trailer tyre pressures are clearly marked on the trailer
• that the total gross weight (trailer weight plus maximum load to be carried) is clearly marked on the front of the trailer
• that the trailer handbrake/overrun brake functions properly
• that the trailer lights and indicators work
• that the load is securely lashed to the trailer body or frame
• that there is suitable marking of any rear overhang greater than one metre by using a 'Long Vehicle" sign or other approved method (e.g. warning tape) or an approved light in hours of darkness or bad weather.

When towing a trailer, the driver must be very cautious about how fast they drive. Vehicle/trailer combinations can become unstable at speeds below the legal maximum, particularly when being passed by fast moving large vehicles, in windy conditions, or when manoeuvring. On long journeys the trailer and vehicle should be checked at least once every two hours of travel.

Users of boat trailers are strongly advised to refer to the Amateur Rowing Association's booklet "Towing of Boat Trailers".

There are likely to be special insurance requirements for overseas travel. Check with the Risk & Insurance Officer (Directorate of Finance & Legal Services) and the operator of any hired vehicle. Vehicles seating more than 9 and travelling outside the British Isles will encounter different driving and transport regulations in Continental EC countries, and different standards again outside the EC. These regulations should be checked with the Department of Transport International Office.