With passengers, it’s heavier and longer than a car! However, if you follow to our minibus safety advice, your school trip will be (almost) stress-free. Do you have a school trip planned? Will you be renting a minibus for the trip?
It’s normal to feel nervous, so don’t worry. It’s not easy to keep a large group of children safe and under control, whether or not you’re the minibus driver.
The good news is that our assistance is available. To help instructors and drivers—or teacher-drivers—get from point A to point B and back safely, we’ve put up this list of tips.
Remember that this is only general advise, and nothing in this page should be interpreted as such. Although we can help you find the proper path, your decisions should always be guided by school policy and the law. And now, let’s move on to the risk analysis.
Make sure you have adequate insurance and first aid coverage in place, evaluate your trip’s risks, and make emergency plans.
Numerous risk assessment templates are accessible on the internet, such as those provided by The School Travel Company and Kent Minibus Hire. But keep in mind that they are only recommendations and might not be all-inclusive.
How many adults are needed to watch over a boisterous group of children?
No, this isn’t a joke about Christmas crackers. It’s crucial that you get it correctly because it’s a crucial factor for any school trip.
The Department of Education’s publication, Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits, suggests:
You must fulfil specific requirements in order to operate a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats on a regular driver’s license (non-D license).
You need a D1 licence if you need a minibus with a maximum allowable weight (MAM) of more than 3,500 kg (or 4,250 kg with specialised equipment). Look for the “101” in the D1 column on the back of your licence if it was issued after 1997. You will have to take the D1 driving exam if it isn’t present.
Remember that the preceding guidance only pertains to nonprofit organisations and non-commercial schools. For commercial schools and other similar establishments, the regulations could differ. In any event, if you’re not entirely certain of the facts, get independent legal counsel.
This is a fee collected on behalf of third parties in exchange for commodities or people. If you have to charge customers to pay for your operating expenses, fuel, or rental, you must apply for a Section 19 minibus permit, subject to the following limitations:
Hire and reward regulations can be extremely intricate. For example, there’s the question of whether private schools are effectively working for hire or reward because they charge carers for educational services. It is probably necessary to have a PCV licence in situations like this. Once more, if in doubt, seek independent legal counsel.
You should schedule some time for a few practice drives if you have never driven a minibus before. Start your first practice run in a spacious, empty parking lot or peaceful location.
Make sure you have adequate vision and are comfortable by adjusting the seat and mirrors. Once you’re at ease, try driving in various settings. You may attempt, for instance, merging carriageways and manoeuvring in constrained spaces, rotary intersections, and sharp turns. Being ready is preferable to attempting these movements for the first time while carrying others.
When approaching low bridges or entering a multi-story parking lot, be mindful of the vehicle’s increased height. Practice passing, keeping in mind that you will accelerate more slowly than you are used to, and take caution when re-entering a lane.
Is this really required? Indeed. You’ll need to stop farther than usual, so pay attention to what’s going on ahead and adjust your speed appropriately, giving yourself plenty of room to pass the car in front of you.
To prevent climbing the pavement or clipping walls, you will have to make broader bends. The ideal time to do all of this is when your car is empty.
How do you keep your eyes off other things when operating a minibus carrying students?
Name a bus captain at all times. This might be an additional adult instructor or a mature, responsible someone who will uphold discipline and order so you can focus on operating a vehicle.
Make sure the route is appropriate for a car this size by planning ahead and researching possible detours and backup routes in case of severe traffic.
In this sense, a satnav is always helpful since it will notify you of any obstacles in your path and help you stay aware of the posted speed limit.
If you have to reroute, pull over in a secure spot and make the necessary changes to the satnav
Plan your stops and factor in extra time for breaks after you’ve established your journey durations, ideally every two to three hours (and especially when transporting youngsters). Operating a minibus demands greater focus than operating a car, which translates into increased fatigue.
If needed, check the weather forecast and adjust your travel time accordingly.
I thought everyone knew the speed limits? False!
Minibuses are subject to lower speed limits on some roadways than vehicles.
Below are the current speed limits. Remember that these are only guidelines and that you should always abide by any on-road signage.
The secret to success, as with any new experience, is preparation, which includes working with a reliable, knowledgeable company. More than 20 years ago, Minibus Hire Kent was founded as a minibus rental business and eventually expanded to include other vehicle types. Our kind, accommodating team is available to answer any questions you may have and provide you the car you require at a cost you can afford. To begin going, get in contact.
