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.
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