Mini-bus driving, adding cats to licence, testing etc...

[geordieracer]

Hello all, seeking some advice here about getting my D1+E entitlement, I've spoken to the DVLA, but all they told me, repeatedly, was that they'd send the forms. So my questions roll over to you guys!

The background is, I need to drive a minibus and tow a trailer abroad on a volunteer basis - but would be very handy for my career to have these additional entitlements on my licence to drive a minibus and trailer for paid services. Unfortunately my licence is a post 1997 licence so I have no grandfather rights. I do, however, already drive a minibus, voluntarily, with a Midas certificate, but my licence plus Midas only allows me to drive voluntarily in the U.K. and no trailer.

I gather I have to take a medical to apply, then get a provisional licence, complete a theory test and then a practical - is that all I need to do? Or am I supposed to take 'lessons?'

Also, has anyone any experiences of gaining these entitlements? I seem to be being given all sorts of non-corresponding information and am getting rather baffled.

Cheers, Kez

[Distant]

My advice would be to phone a local training school. They'll have done this loads of times and be the best people to answer your questions.

[vonhosen]

geordieracer said:

Hello all, seeking some advice here about getting my D1+E entitlement, I've spoken to the DVLA, but all they told me, repeatedly, was that they'd send the forms. So my questions roll over to you guys!

The background is, I need to drive a minibus and tow a trailer abroad on a volunteer basis - but would be very handy for my career to have these additional entitlements on my licence to drive a minibus and trailer for paid services. Unfortunately my licence is a post 1997 licence so I have no grandfather rights. I do, however, already drive a minibus, voluntarily, with a Midas certificate, but my licence plus Midas only allows me to drive voluntarily in the U.K. and no trailer.

I gather I have to take a medical to apply, then get a provisional licence, complete a theory test and then a practical - is that all I need to do? Or am I supposed to take 'lessons?'

Also, has anyone any experiences of gaining these entitlements? I seem to be being given all sorts of non-corresponding information and am getting rather baffled.

Cheers, Kez

Yep you need a medical, provisional licence category, pass theory/hazard perception tests & then take the practical test. You don't have to take lessons, but I would suggest you'll probably find passing the practical test easier with some input.

[Chiswickboy]

Don't usually worry about posters' spelling, punctuation etc. Leave that for the grammar nazis but when I read the title I thought OP had seen the "Everyone needs a Harvey" ad. on TV and wanted to get a licence for "Tiddles".

What a disappointment!

[7mike]

Maybe more bad news!!
I think you will need to take cat D1 before applying for D1+E
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

And if you want the full entitlement (for hire & reward)you may also need to do your Driver CPC.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Drivingforali...

I may be wrong! You could try poping onto your local DSA test centre, especially if you have one that covers LGV/PCV and have a chat with an examiner,or as someone above has already said, get in touch with a local trainer.