Driver Training and Assessment

For information and booking appointments for:

Section 19 permits – apply for a standard or large bus permit

A permit under section 19 of the Transport Act 1985 can only be granted to a body concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities of benefit to the community.

These permits are either:

• standard permits – for vehicles which are adapted to carry no more than 16 passengers (excluding the driver)
• large bus permits – for vehicles adapted to carry 17 passengers or more.

Section 19 permit application form

Please download the form and email it to us: driver-training@hertfordshire.gov.uk

A section 19 permit allows the holder to operate transport services for hire or reward without the need for a full public service vehicle (PSV) operator’s licence, provided the services are neither carried out with a view to profit nor incidentally to an activity that is itself carried on with a view to profit.

A permit enables an organisation to transport their members, or people for whom the organisation exists to help. Vehicles cannot be used to carry members of the general public.

As a permit holder, you have a responsibility to make sure that your services are operated within the law, with vehicles properly maintained and using drivers with the appropriate qualifications.

Only organisations which meet at least one of the following exemptions can apply for a section 19 permit:

• non-commercial purposes – an applicant should be satisfied that its overall purpose in providing road passenger transport and all of those services are exclusively non-commercial
• main occupation – an applicant’s road passenger transport operation is ancillary or complementary to another activity, which must demonstrably be their main occupation
• short distance – applicant is engaged exclusively in national transport operations, and has only a minor impact on the transport market because of the short distances involved. Short distance is generally regarded as those services within a 10-mile radius or length, although longer distances can be considered in certain circumstances.

A single legal entity cannot hold both a permit under the Transport Act 1985 and an operator’s licence under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.

Driving assessments in cars, other small vehicles and minibuses

Small vehicles are vehicles with no more than 8 passenger seats, with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of less than 3500kg (or 4250kg if fitted with special equipment used for carrying wheelchairs). Examples of these are the Ford Tourneo or Mercedes Vito. These require a category B driving licence, similar to driving cars.

Minibuses are vehicles fitted with 9 – 16 passenger seats. Minibus drivers must hold a full category D1 on their licence if they are being paid to drive them. There are certain circumstances when a category B holder can drive a minibus. 

For more information please print off this Minibus licence requirements guide (PDF 479KB)

All drivers must undergo an assessment with an HCC assessor every three years to gain a permit to drive HCC vehicles.

Application form for a driving assessment (DOC 47KB)

For more information contact: driver-training@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Training sessions for minibus drivers

Training sessions last for two hours, and can be booked for drivers who may not have driven a larger vehicle for a long time, or not at all. The session will familiarise the driver with the minibus, and give them the chance to practice before undergoing an assessment.

HCC assessors are able to give advice on the different driving techniques required for driving a minibus (eg considering passenger comfort, the different handling characteristics of the vehicle, public perception in liveried vehicles etc), and can prepare drivers for their three yearly assessment. 

Application form for a training session (DOC 47KB)

For more information contact: driver-training@hertfordshire.gov.uk

D1 licence acquisition (train to become a qualified minibus driver)

HCC Driver Training now offer courses to get your staff through the process of obtaining full category D1 driving licences, enabling them to drive any minibuses as part of their employment.

Print this D1 Minibus training leaflet (PDF 471KB)

For more information contact: driver-training@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Special Equipment Training, for drivers and passenger assistants

Special Equipment Training (SET) is essential for all staff, drivers and passenger assistants, involved in the transportation of wheelchair users. Successful completion of the two hour training/assessment will gain a certificate and permit which is valid for three years.

Application form for SET training/assessment (DOC 41KB)

For more information: Special Equipment Training leaflet (PDF 561KB)

or contact: driver-training@hertfordshire.gov.uk