Licensing and Safety

Any operator carrying paying passengers in a minibus in Great Britain must hold a Public Service Vehicle operator licence issued by the Traffic Commissioner. Hiring an unlicensed vehicle leaves you with no passenger insurance cover, which is the risk most people never think to check.

What a PSV operator licence actually covers

A PSV operator licence is granted by the Traffic Commissioner for the region and requires the operator to demonstrate financial standing, professional competence and proper vehicle maintenance arrangements. It is the licence that makes it legal to carry fare paying passengers. A private hire or taxi licence is not the same thing and does not cover a minibus operating this way.

Drivers

A driver of a minibus carrying paying passengers needs the appropriate category on their licence, normally D1 or D, together with a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. For school, college and youth group work, an enhanced DBS check is the standard expectation and reputable operators supply it without being asked.

The questions worth asking

Before you book, ask four things and get the answers in writing. Does the operator hold a current PSV operator licence, and what is the number. Is the driver DBS checked, if that matters for your group. Does the vehicle carry full passenger carrying insurance. Is the quoted price fixed and inclusive. An operator who is reluctant on any of these is the wrong operator, and the reluctance itself is the answer.

What we check

We ask operators to confirm their PSV licence, insurance and DBS position before we pass an enquiry to them. We are an intermediary rather than the carrier, so the contract for your journey is with the operator, and we would rather you knew that than assumed otherwise.

Common questions

What is a PSV operator licence?

A licence issued by the Traffic Commissioner allowing an operator to carry paying passengers. It requires proof of financial standing, professional competence and vehicle maintenance arrangements. A taxi or private hire licence is not equivalent.

Are drivers DBS checked?

For school, college and youth group work this is standard with reputable operators. For other work it is available on request. Ask for confirmation in writing when you book.

Who is my contract with?

With the operator who carries out the journey, not with us. We are a comparison and enquiry service that matches you to licensed operators.

What if an operator will not confirm their licence?

Do not book them. Reluctance to confirm a PSV licence number, insurance or DBS position is itself the answer.