what can I drive (draft)

Here in the UK we have very complicated driving licence legislation which results to the EU trying to have the same requirements across all EU states but then having the ability for member states to opt out of bits of the legislation and the fact that the UK has, and had at the time the EU were trying to align all countries, a very strong and well established voluntary sector which relied on drivers being able to drive minibuses.  This is then compounded slightly with the size of vehicles which drivers are able to drive.

I hope the following may shine some light on to the current situation, but this is dependent on any vehicle insurance restrictions of the organisation you volunteer for and also any internal policies they have in place.  

I am only looking at permit operations here i.e. Section 19 and Section 22

	Size of Permit vehicle – in passenger seats
	MPV ( upto 8 seats) (Only Section 19 operation allowed)	Minibus (9 – 16) (Operated under Section 19 or 22)	Bus ( above 16 seats) (Operated under Section 19 or 22)
Volunteer driver (B cat only)	Can drive	Can drive *with restrictions	Cannot drive
Paid driver (B cat only)	Can drive	Cannot drive	Cannot drive
Volunteer driver (D1 (101) cat)	Can drive	Can drive	Cannot drive
Paid driver (D1 (101) cat)	Can drive	Can drive	Cannot drive
Volunteer driver (D1 cat - PCV)	Can drive	Can drive	Cannot drive
Paid driver (D1 cat - PCV)	Can drive	Can drive	Cannot drive
Volunteer driver (D cat - PCV)	Can drive	Can drive	Can drive
Paid driver (D cat - PCV)	Can drive	Can drive	Can drive

*Restrictions being the driver:

·        Over 21 years old

·        If over 70 years old they have passed a PCV medical which shows on their driving licence with a code of 79 (NFHR) which extends their ability to drive a minibus for a further 3 years

·        Cannot tow a trailer

·        Can receive no other consideration for driving other than out-of-pocket expenses

·        Can only drive a vehicle with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) no more than 3500kg or 4250kg if the vehicle has been adapted for the carriage of disabled passengers.