Getting a D1

Simon Jester

Hi there,

I've been driving a minibus in the UK (not for profit) on B license for a while now; but it looks like i'm going to be driving to Europe next summer and I need to get a full one.

I'd rather do it in Ireland and avoid exchanging my Irish license for a British one (and losing my penalty point exemption ).

Does anyone know what's involved in the test itself; what kind of skills are you required to demonstrate over those required of a car driver etc.

Also, is there still an online practice thing for the theory test?

-Simon

CiniO

Simon Jester wrote: »

Hi there,

I've been driving a minibus in the UK (not for profit) on B license for a while now; but it looks like i'm going to be driving to Europe next summer and I need to get a full one.

I'd rather do it in Ireland and avoid exchanging my Irish license for a British one (and losing my penalty point exemption ).

Does anyone know what's involved in the test itself; what kind of skills are you required to demonstrate over those required of a car driver etc.

Also, is there still an online practice thing for the theory test?

-Simon

How is it possible that you drove a minibus on B licence?
Was it 8 seater minibus (8passengers + driver) ???

miller50841

You will lose the british licence if done here they will want to change it unless it's different now

CiniO

miller50841 wrote: »

You will lose the british licence if done here they will want to change it unless it's different now

I think OP meant he had only Irish licence, and he didn't hold UK licence.

miller50841

CiniO wrote: »

I think OP meant he had only Irish licence, and he didn't hold UK licence.

Sorry my bad read that wrong:rolleyes:
Think the point exemption will be gone soon enough

CiniO

miller50841 wrote: »

Sorry my bad read that wrong:rolleyes:
Think the point exemption will be gone soon enough

Might be or might not.
Anyway - I still can't understand how OP could drive a minibus on Irish B licence in UK, assuming it was 9+ seats minibus...

miller50841

He was lucky he was never checked as bus was probably under someone elses name and insurance maybe

Simon Jester

In the UK, B licence drivers are allowed to drive 17 seater minibusses in a not for profit capacity. Most Hire companies will allow someone with a car license to rent a minibus provided they're over 25.

I drive a minibus for a sports club (as a volunteer); we have insurance that covers any member over 21, with a car license for 2 years and no penalty points to drive.

Nothing dodgy or illegal about it.

The problem is that this exemption doesn't apply outside of the UK; we're going on tour to France next summer and need someone with a full minibus license to drive.

Thanks,

Simon

CiniO

Simon Jester wrote: »

In the UK, B licence drivers are allowed to drive 17 seater minibusses in a not for profit capacity. Most Hire companies will allow someone with a car license to rent a minibus provided they're over 25.

I drive a minibus for a sports club (as a volunteer); we have insurance that covers any member over 21, with a car license for 2 years and no penalty points to drive.

Nothing dodgy or illegal about it.

I was aware that in old days drivers used to get C1 and D1 in addition to their B licence and could use it for driving those vehicles (not professionally), but I wasn't aware you could do that even with foreign licence.

The problem is that this exemption doesn't apply outside of the UK; we're going on tour to France next summer and need someone with a full minibus license to drive.

Thanks,

Simon

So in that case it looks like you will have to do D1 licence.
As you won't be driving professionally, you don't need to do CPC.
So in short you need to apply for theory test, pass it, get driving permit, apply for driving test, pass it, and apply for full D1 licence.

I'm not sure if you are not obliged to use tachograph while driving minibus in France. Most likely yes, but it's hard to know 100% without knowing exactly French regulations.

Simon Jester

What I really need to know is what's required in for the test itself; maneuvers, format etc.

I'm a student so I can't afford a load of lessons. I do have around 1000 miles in a minibus though.

Ideally, i'd just rent a minibus off a driving school and take the test or take just a couple of lessons.

miller50841

The test would be similar to car test but need to know more on safety and efficient driving

CiniO

Simon Jester wrote: »

What I really need to know is what's required in for the test itself; maneuvers, format etc.

Examiner invites you to the office, and asks you few questions from rules of the road + traffic signs.
Then you go to your vehicle and he might ask you few questions like where you fill oil, coolant, brake fluid, etc.
Then he takes your for a drive. During it make sure you adhere to all rules of the road. Make sure you always stop on stop sign or stop lines, as this seems to be usual problem for more experienced drivers. Make sure you always do mirror-indicator-mirror-manouver. Make sure you use you handbrake adequately when stopped.
It's definitely worth to take some lessons with instructor, as he will lead you through the all process.
I was passing C category test recently, and while I had no clue how the driving test looks like in Ireland (as I never done one), during few hours, instructor introduced me to the whole thing, so I was not surprised by anything during the test.

Del2005

Simon Jester wrote: »

In the UK, B licence drivers are allowed to drive 17 seater minibusses in a not for profit capacity. Most Hire companies will allow someone with a car license to rent a minibus provided they're over 25.

Nothing dodgy or illegal about it.

The problem is that this exemption doesn't apply outside of the UK; we're going on tour to France next summer and need someone with a full minibus license to drive.

That's a UK licence not an ROI licence. Our licences only allow you to drive upto 8 passengers. Certain UK B licences allow you to drive 7.5t, but you can't do that on an ROI licence. The conditions of the licence are from the country of issue not the one your driving in.

Simon Jester

Del2005 wrote: »

That's a UK licence not an ROI licence. Our licences only allow you to drive upto 8 passengers. Certain UK B licences allow you to drive 7.5t, but you can't do that on an ROI licence. The conditions of the licence are from the country of issue not the one your driving in.

You're mistaken: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619

Thanks for the replies.

Wishbone Ash

Del2005 wrote: »

That's a UK licence not an ROI licence. Our licences only allow you to drive upto 8 passengers. Certain UK B licences allow you to drive 7.5t, but you can't do that on an ROI licence. The conditions of the licence are from the country of issue not the one your driving in.

It's up to the other country to determine what it deems acceptable:

Vehicles which community licence holders may also drive in GB

Community licence holders with category B entitlement can also drive certain vehicles in GB, which are exempt from the normal large vehicle driver licensing requirements. These include non-commercial minibuses driven on a voluntary basis, permit minibuses and large vehicles such as agricultural motor vehicles and road construction vehicles. Further details about these vehicles and the conditions that apply to them can be found in the fact sheet "Special Licensing Arrangements For Drivers of Large Vehicles" available from DVLA.

miller50841 wrote: »

He was lucky he was never checked as bus was probably under someone elses name and insurance maybe

Notwithstanding all other comments, the owner and insurer of any vehicle has no bearing on the requirement for the driver to hold an adequate licence. Most bus and truck drivers do not own or insure the vehicles they driver but are still required to be licenced to drive them.