Avoiding a Winter of Discontent: Off-Season Minibus Driving Tips

Driving a minibus in foul weather conditions is sometimes unavoidable. This is especially so should winter weather close in unexpectedly mid-journey. Given that, in all but the most extreme conditions, a minibus will cope and deliver its passengers in perfect safety, a few winter driving tips are appropriate. Applying them, together with a little common sense, will see even unseasoned travellers reaching their destination.

The first aspects of winter driving concern the minibus itself. In addition to the usual checks, it makes sense to ensure that the vehicle has suitable, non-freezing fluid in its screen wash bottle. Acquire a scraper, and some cloths, or a chamois leather, to deal with snowbound or iced up windows. Carry a can of de-icer (just in case) and keep a good torch and a reflective waistcoat or jacket, in the cab.

In essence, the problems of winter driving share two common denominators, visibility and grip. More accurately, it is the relative lack of these that causes problems and we can deal with each in turn.

Loss of visibility in winter can be due to several conditions. Rain-streaked glass means that you won't be able to see as well out of a minibus at any time of year. Add a measure of road grime, snow or ice and the problem is made more serious. While using windscreen washers and wipers is obvious, it's wise to clear any such debris off the glass before even considering driving. The same goes for the inside of the windows. Cold, wet conditions spell condensation especially with a full passenger count. While it may be tempting to let the minibus's demister and heated rear screen do the job, it's better to clear all glass before setting off. The same goes for the external lights' lenses – grime accumulates quickly and makes a significant difference to the light output.

While on the road, it is crucial to drive within the limits of vision. This works on a simple basis: if you can't see it, you won't be able to avoid it. So tailor your speed to suit the conditions, especially in fog. Also remember that fog droplets build up on a windscreen so leave your wipers to run on their intermittent setting, or use flick-wipe periodically. The natural tendency to drive too closely in fog can be overcome with that old standby, the two-second rule. It's better to apply a three or four-second rule, depending on your speed but remember that the vehicle you're following is punching a hole through the fog for you. Don't get too close.

A similar rule applies as regards lack of grip. Modern tyres are excellent but, without studs or chains, a tyre loses varying amounts of grip on snow or ice. As above, the solution is to drive within the limits of the available grip. Remember that black ice can lurk in areas yet to receive winter sunlight. Black ice at night can be still more dangerous. A road surface sparkling in the headlights is a good clue and it's significant that tyres on ice make no sound. If the wet road swishing or tyre rumble fades away, lift off the accelerator and slow down.

Above all, drive with finesse; clumsy control inputs cause skids. Drive within the lower limits imposed by the conditions and you'll arrive safely. Ignore the above advice and you may not arrive at all.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

People Skills: Looking After Minibus Passengers

Driving a minibus becomes a people skill in itself because minibuses are people movers. Moving people successfully isn’t difficult but the following pointers will make it as easy as possible, provided you pay attention to them.

The first point to acknowledge is that the roadworthiness of your minibus is your responsibility. Even if it’s just been serviced, you must make sure that the vehicle is fit to take passengers, especially as the best case scenario if it isn’t is the invalidation of the minibus’s insurance. In addition, make sure that any luggage carried is securely fixed; the need for passengers to have free access to two exits at all times means you won’t allow luggage to clog the aisle or doorways.

Pre-journey planning is never wasted. Knowing where you’re headed and the approximate timings of each stage of the journey forearms you; you can brief your passengers, after you close (but not lock) the minibus’s doors. Tell them about the journey times and give them a full schedule of, shall we say, comfort breaks, as well as meal breaks. For passengers, it’s always better to travel knowledgably than be kept in the dark!

Passengers behaving badly can cause minibus accidents. A few ground rules added to your briefing will help negate this. Start with the obvious by telling the passengers to belt up. This isn’t as rude as it sounds; all minibus passengers must wear their seatbelt and children under 135cm in height must use a child restraint. While it’s likely that securely seatbelted passengers will stay in their seats, it’s important that they stay there whenever the vehicle is moving. Equally, it’s wise to discourage anyone from chatting with you while you’re driving. This is a potentially dangerous distraction, as is use of a microphone when on the move. Should the minibus be wired for sound, avoid the temptation of playing tour guide to your passengers.

In one instance, the minibus driver can’t be expected to act as driver and conductor, as it were. When children are carried, it’s essential to have a passenger assistant, who can curb the children’s excesses for you. It’s wise to take an assistant who is trained and licensed to drive the minibus, should the need arise.

There are ground rules and practices that apply to specific groups of passengers. A ‘no alcohol’ rule may sound Draconian but having one makes sense. In fact, it’s illegal for passengers to consume alcohol in a minibus when travelling to and from a sporting fixture. Disabled passengers wheelchairs mustn’t face sideways and it’s usual to secure wheelchairs in the minibus, rather than relying solely on their fitted brakes. Certain passengers may have special requirements, which you can cater for, provided you know about them in advance.

The matter of safety comes to the fore when passengers enter or leave the vehicle, whether they’re in a group or being dropped off individually. Should an accident occur, it’s important to keep control of the passengers as well as keeping calm. Unless there’s an evident risk in doing so, such as a fire risk, keep everyone aboard, especially in busy areas and on roadside hard shoulders.

Regular minibus drivers are advised to take a driver training course, such as Community Transport Association (CTA)’s MiDAS (Minibus Driver Training Scheme). Apart from covering all aspects of passenger care and giving guidance on dealing with passenger illness and emergencies, this could reduce your minibus insurance premium.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

The BIG Test: Passing a Minibus MOT

A minibus MOT test is just like a car test, right? Wrong, actually. In fact, though the test procedures are much the same, a minibus MOT is a Class V test, not a Class IV ‘car’ test. In addition, there is a specialised test for a minibus with newly-fitted seatbelts. However, the main difference between a car MOT and a minibus MOT is one of scale. A testing station offering Class V testing must have the equipment to cope with larger vehicles.

Like a car MOT test, a minibus test starts with an examination of the below decks hardware. The tyres, braking system, steering, suspension and exhaust are scrutinised, to ensure they meet with the minimum standards concerned. This exercise includes spotting the effects of corrosion and damage as well as of simple wear and tear. Special attention is paid to the fuel system, to find any evidence of leakage, which could pose a fire risk. The minibus’s exterior bodywork and its underside are checked for corrosion and evidence of significant damage.

The MOT tester, working to a strict code of practice, then examines the minibus’s lighting system. This examination involves ensuring that the lights are properly fixed and functional, and in the required condition. The driver’s view of the road must be uninterrupted, the mirrors must be present and correct and the vehicle’s registration plates and VIN number must be present and up to scratch. More dynamic tests follow, including measurement of the minibus’s exhaust emissions, the performance of the service brake system and of the parking brake.

Inside, the minibus’s controls and instruments are checked over, as are its seats and the mountings, condition, operation and position of all seat belts. The horn must work.
Unlike a car, whose first MOT test isn’t necessary until it’s three years old, a minibus must have its first MOT test at one year old, then yearly thereafter. Currently, a Class V MOT test, for private passenger vehicles and ambulances - 13-16 passenger seats, costs 58.65. The exception, a Class Va test, is for minibuses newly fitted with seat belts. This is a one-off test, provided no further seatbelts are installed, and costs 79.30.

The vast majority of minibuses need a Class V MOT test, though there are two exceptions. Class IV is for minibuses with up to 12 passenger seats (excluding the driver) and such a test may be carried out at any appointed garage. A Class VI test is for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV); it has a different certificate and is always carried out at a government testing station. While no permit minibus requires a Class VI test you may elect to have for a one voluntarily if you received a Certificate of Initial Fitness with your new vehicle.

So, a minibus MOT test is very like a car MOT test in the practical sense but there are subtle differences. Modern MOT testing stations are equipped to deal with the newer additions, such as ABS and power steering. However, one aspect doesn’t change. It’s worth checking the obvious before submitting your minibus for an MOT test. Nobody would argue about risking a test fail for an item like a worn tyre or a blown bulb.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

Abroad Concepts: Taking A Minibus To Europe

Many individuals and organisations take vehicles to Europe with minimal trouble. However, while cars, caravans and motorhomes can be used in the EU with little more than the essentials, taking a minibus to Europe requires a little more in the way of legal documentation. The aforementioned essentials are also necessary but the addition of EU-legal number plates or a GB plate, the relevant insurance cover and breakdown insurance are obvious requirements. However, you need a number of other items, as the following explains.

To travel in the EU, and in the ASOR signatory states Turkey, Switzerland, Norway and some Eastern European countries, you need either a ‘waybill’ or an ‘own account certificate’. This applies to any vehicle with more than eight passenger seats.

Which do you need? That depends on whether the organisation involved with the trip is profit making. If it is, you need a waybill, or EU Journey Form. This is for use in the European Union and is available, for a fee, from the Confederation of Passenger Transport (tel. 020 72403131) or the International Road Freight Office (tel. 0191 2014090).

Should a non profit-making concern be involved, you can use an Own Account Certificate (OAC). One is available, at no cost, from the International Road Freight Office (tel. 0191 2014090). It will remain valid for five years but an OAC can’t be used if the organisation is using a hired vehicle.

As is usually the case in such circumstances, still more documents are required. You must carry a minibus insurance certificate, the vehicle’s registration document and a European accident form. An insurance Green Card is recommended; your insurance company will see to this for you. The driver’s licence must also be carried and will be valid in EU and EEA member states. You don’t need an IDP (International Driving Permit).

The final piece of essential paperwork is a formal letter verifying permission to drive. Assuming the driver is not the vehicle’s registered keeper, he’ll need a statement, on the relevant organisation’s stationery, that the organisation is the registered keeper and that the bearer of the letter has permission to drive it.

Just as an aside, the Section 19 Permit, which has been referred to in these articles, isn’t valid abroad. The authority concerned recommends that a minibus being operated for hire or reward may not be driven abroad unless the driver has attained a full PCV D or D1(unrestricted for hire or reward) licence. Acquiring one involves both theory and driving tests.

Lastly, minibus drivers must comply with EC Driver’s Hours rules on all international journeys. More importantly, they must prove this and to do so, a tachograph is needed. This must begin recording from the start of the journey in the UK and keep recording until the end of the homebound journey. One tachograph disc per driver per day is required. Should you be tempted to not install and use a tachograph correctly or falsify it in any way, you can expect a heavy fine.

Taking a minibus to Europe is made a touch tricky by these requirements. However, it can be - and is - done without too much trouble. That said, this short article is only a guide. For more detail, see the Scout’s excellent document about this subject on the web.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

More Top Tips From A Master Minibus Driver

Driving a minibus is easy enough for any driver. There is, however, one aspect that minibuses share with children – neither comes with instructions. This is where being able to pick the brains of a minibus driver with experience comes in. Our tame expert, D1 Category licensed Scout Leader David, has been driving minibuses for 30 years. Here are some more hints and tips from him, for minibus drivers starting from scratch to those with many miles under their belt.

For drivers new to minibuses, David begins by pointing out that driving one is unlike driving a car. True, the layout of the controls is the same but the driving technique can be quite different. The relatively high overall weight of a minibus means its driver must have patience. Pulling away at a roundabout or junction, or overtaking, are scenarios in which more time is needed to accommodate the minibus’s relatively reduced acceleration. Moreover, the size that adds to the weight of a minibus isn’t a licence to use it aggressively. Giving consideration to other drivers is essential, as is an awareness of the vehicle’s stopping distances in dry and wet conditions. Also, be aware of other drivers’ tendency to cut in after overtaking.

David goes on to warn new drivers about manoeuvring. He stresses that the inevitable blind spot warrants due consideration and suggests making sure that the minibus is fitted with a reversing alarm. While this lets pedestrians know the vehicle is about to reverse, David says that drivers should not reverse unless they can see all around the minibus and that reversing on a campsite is not wise. He further suggests that drivers new to minibus use should take a relevant training course, as outlined below.

What about on the road? David recommends carrying a spare can of diesel fuel. Unlike petrol, diesel needs the significant heat of, say, a fire to make it a danger aboard a minibus and it doesn’t have the problem of the fumes given off by petrol. His next suggestion is to always start a journey of any length with a full fuel tank, to lessen the chance of running out of fuel. Why is this important? Because after running a diesel engine dry, the driver can’t simply top up with fuel and drive on. To work, diesel engines must atomise their fuel at very high pressure and a fuel system that’s run dry can’t do that unaided. So, to save having to call out a mechanic to bleed the system, never let it run out of fuel.

The Scout Association (SA) has the following guidelines concerning minibuses…

Drivers should keep a journey log book detailing who’s driven where. Any problems and the actions taken to resolve them should also be logged. This shows due diligence has been taken.

The SA’s has a dispensation for scouts, who aren’t fare-paying passengers. This can cause complications when a minibus is hired out but the hirer’s making a contribution to maintenance offers a solution.

When hiring out a minibus, the SA suggests the following are checked…

Has the driver got a D1 Licence?
Has the driver got a MIDAS Certificate*?
Has he/she driven a minibus before?
Is he/she fit to drive?

*MIDAS is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme.

David closes with the information that the going rate for minibus hire is currently £50 per day.

Above all, David’s hints are the consequence of his extensive experience of driving a minibus. As such, they can be taken as appropriate to all minibus drivers, regardless of circumstances.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

Investment Portfolio: Minibuses - to Have or to Hire?

Like any vehicle, a minibus can either be hired or bought. Each approach has its merits and, just as importantly, its pitfalls. It is nevertheless possible to make the right decision and all it takes is the consideration of a few questions.

Which is the cheaper method?

That depends on the type of use you intend. Suppose you only need a minibus infrequently. Road tax, insurance and maintenance costs are ongoing, regardless of whether the minibus is in regular use. Hire costs mount up too but for infrequent use, hiring is the more economic option.

I often use a minibus, should I buy one?

Perhaps but again, it depends. Can you accommodate a minibus? Storing a large vehicle can be tricky and on-road parking, even if permitted, isn’t the most secure option. Can you look after one? Servicing and maintenance are essential to the health of you and your passengers as well as to that of the vehicle. Such things cost money, over and above everyday costs and are covered in hire rates.

Supposing I also run it as a passenger car?

Good point. A minibus can do double duty, within limitations. The downsides concern size and cost. Can you live without using multi-storey car parks and parking at a distance from your destination? Can you afford to run a vehicle that is thirstier than a car? Will you carry more than three or four passengers often enough to warrant the outlay?
On the upside, you’d never be stuck for a vehicle that can carry a lot, be it passengers or goods. Minibuses are extremely capacious, which can come in very useful.

I’d like to buy a minibus. What about a new one?

Another good point but one with a trap into which many have fallen with a loud clatter. A new vehicle, minibus or otherwise, is a tempting proposition, especially in the current economic climate. That said, any new vehicle will suffer a staggering loss in value the minute it turns a wheel in your ownership. Depreciation must be factored in to your calculations unless you know for certain that you will be keeping your minibus for a long time. If buying new, you can use the economic downturn to your advantage; minibus dealerships are unlikely to be fighting customers off so your business will be more than just important to them. Use this in your negotiations and visit more than one dealer.

What about a used minibus?

More traps loom here but protection is to be found. All motor dealers have to offer a measure of protection to their clients, including HPI (vehicle history) checks that will reveal any outstanding finance and unsavoury history in a minibuses’ past.
As in any secondhand vehicle purchase, the rule is caveat emptor…buyer beware. Should the vehicle be young enough to have any remaining manufacturer’s servicing and/or warranty cover, it’s a good bet. Most importantly, it should have a full service history, with the stamps to prove it has been serviced at a factory-approved concern. If you doubt your vehicle choosing skills, look for ‘vehicle inspections’ in Yellow Pages: the major motoring organisations offer this service and a professional report represents money well spent.

So, should I hire or should I buy?

Easy. If your costs for hiring minibuses in a given year are more than what it would cost for the payment and upkeep of a minibus of your own, the answer is obvious. Good hunting!

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.

Top Tips from a Master Minibus Driver

“You’re never too old to learn” is a helpful saying and the concept behind it goes far further. Few would dispute that no one is too skilled, experienced or clever to learn either. However, we can all learn from someone who has much experience. David is a Scout Leader who’s been a D1-licenced minibus driver for 30 years. Let’s hear what he has to say.

David favours Ford-engined LDV minibuses, saying that their 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine is better than any normally aspirated unit. Regardless of what’s under the bonnet before him, David uses the same pre-flight checks before taking a party of scouts out on a road trip. He recommends that the minibus be serviced at a reputable garage. He prefers the input of qualified mechanics, rather than DIY servicing. That said, David himself also gives the minibus he’s to use a pre-trip once over. This includes checking the tyres’ condition and pressures, as well as taking a look at the oil level and ensuring that windows are clean and that the minibus’s floor is swept. It’s also David’s practice to keep a logbook for each minibus. In this, notes concerning any problems are made, with follow-up actions being logged and subsequently signed off.

With his preparations made, David follows some important self-established guidelines when he drives. When used in the UK, a minibus needn’t be equipped with a tachograph. However, David will ensure he has a rest break at least every two hours. His personal best in terms of trip time was a five-hour sojourn to Ireland for the Irish Jamboree in Dublin. A one-hour ferry crossing, out bound from Holyhead, Anglesey, obviously constituted a bracing rest break!

For any respectably lengthy trip with Scouts, David recommends that another Scout Leader who can drive the minibus should be to hand. He also has some tips about loading the vehicle, preferring not to tow a trailer as this can overload the minibus to the detriment of its clutch. Whilst it’s fine to use a roof rack, David warns against overloading it as this can make for a top-heavy combination. However, especially as many Scout groups use box vans, David warns that LPG gas bottles should be carried on the roof rack. Carrying gas bottles inside the minibus or van is frowned upon because leaking gas and confined spaces never mix.

With his 30 years at the wheel of minibuses, has David any stories to relate? He tells of an incident that took place on the way back from a camping trip to Brownsea Island, the birthplace of scouting. Though David clearly lived to tell the tale, it’s just as clear that a near miss with a foreign articulated lorry driving on the wrong side of the road was a memorable event. This also suggests that constant vigilance when driving is more than worth a place in a minibus driver’s personal portfolio.

David also makes a significant point concerning driving a minibus carrying youngsters. They may be excited at the prospect of a trip but David will temper this with some simple ground rules. In his book, distractions equal potential danger and noise is particularly distracting for any driver. So, while he doesn’t insist on sepulchral silence, David respectfully requests that the noise level is kept within reasonable bounds.

Thanks to David for his practical tips for practicable journeys. He will be telling us more but for now, it’s obvious that his advice can benefit any minibus driver.

The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.