University of Leicester Students' Union

THE LAW FOR MINIBUS DRIVERS

You are responsible for the state of your vehicle at all times. This includes tyres, steering, brakes, headlights etc., the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
It is illegal to drive whilst under the influence of drugs. Drinking any amount of alcohol will impair your driving ability and may lead to a breach of the law. It is illegal to smoke whilst driving or when there are passengers in the vehicle.
You must obey the instructions of a uniformed police officer, and give your name and address, that of the vehicle owner, your date of birth and the vehicle registration no., if requested. You may be asked to produce your driving licence, the insurance certificate, and the latest MOT test certificate at a police station. This must be done within 7 days.
If involved in an accident, you must stop the vehicle and exchange details with other parties. If this cannot be done immediately, you must report the accident to the police as soon as possible, within 24 hours. If someone is injured, this must be reported.
When driving with passengers:
a) all doors must be unlocked
b) you must be able to see through all windows
c) all gangways must be kept clear
d) you must switch the engine off when refuelling
e) you must behave in a civil manner
f) you must not talk to anyone else
g) you must not allow alcohol to be carried if you are travelling to football grounds.
Where no traffic signs set a lower limit, speed limits are as follows:
Street lights closer than 200m - 30 mph
Other single carriageways - 50 mph
Duel carriageways - 60 mph
Motorways - 70 mph
You must be a least 21 and the holder of a full (not provisional) driving licence to drive a minibus, unless you have an appropriate PCV licence.
You and the front passenger(s) must wear seat belts in minibuses for 23 or fewer passengers. You are legally responsible if someone under 14 is sitting in the front without a seat belt on.
You should not use the horn in built-up areas after 11.30 p.m. or before 7 a.m. in the morning.
At night, you should always park on the nearside of the road, at least 10 metres away from the nearest road junction. If the bus is being left for a short time, leave the side lights on.
It is illegal to use an orange badge for purposes other than assisting a disabled person.
You must put your lights on in poor visibility. You can only use hazard flashers when the minibus is stationary.
No more than one adult passenger to each seat. Three children under 14 count as two adults.
If you do not have the permission of the owner to be driving a vehicle, then you may be committing an offence, because the insurance will not longer be valid.