Category D1 Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) License Requirements

Category D1 - Minibus between 8 and 16 seats

A Minibus is defined as - a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 but not more than 16 seated passengers in addition to the driver.
If you held a full car (cat B) driving licence before 1 January 1997 and meet certain conditions you may be able to drive a minibus, as long as it is not for 'hire or reward' (no payment from or on behalf of the passengers). Your permitted license category D1 and D1+E will be shown on your license. You are permitted to tow a trailer.
If you obtained your full car (cat B) license after 1 January 1997, you can drive a minibus within the UK as long as you are 21 or older, you must have held your full (cat B) driving licence for at least 2 years. You must be driving on a voluntary basis and the minibus used f or social purposes by a non-commercial body. The maximum weight of the minibus must not be more than 3.5 tonnes (or 4.25 tonnes including specialist equipment for disabled passengers, (eg a wheelchair ramp). You are not permitted to tow a trailer.
If you meet either criteria above and need to charge for running costs you can apply for a minibus permit under section 19, as long as:- you are driving it for a voluntary organisation that benefits the community (eg an educational, religious or sports organisation), and the minibus service is only available for members of that organisation (not to the general public). Any charges are to cover running costs and are made on a non-profit basis. This is a fairly complex area and it is very easy to fall foul of the rules.
Also remember that an employer cannot indemnify a volunteer minibus driver where a court has imposed sanctions by way of fines or penalty points as a result of committing any road traffic offense, and the driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring all licensing and insurance requirements have been met.