Voluntary Community Transport Permits

Some voluntary operators of minibuses and, in a few cases, larger buses, are free from bus and coach operator licensing if they use their vehicle under special permits. These permits let the holder carry fare-paying passengers in fairly restricted circumstances. More information can be found on the Legislation page.

This page only gives an outline of the subject. For more information please see the Guide to Passenger Transport provided by voluntary.

There are two permit schemes:

minibus permits: these were brought in in 1977 and from 1987 onwards are granted under the terms of Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; and
community bus permits: issued under section 22 of the Transport Act 1985 replacing the community bus road service licences issued from 1978 to 1986.

Minibus Permits

Voluntary groups concerned with education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities of benefit to the community can get minibus permits. The ordinary permit is for a vehicle that can carry between 9 and 16 passengers. These permits are issued either by Traffic Commissioners or designated bodies (local authorities, various national charities or church organisations etc). They allow the holder of the permit to carry members of the group (e.g. The Scout Association) or people who the group aims to help (e.g. the disabled). The permit gives details of those who may use the vehicle but it must not be the general public.

Minibus permits do not allow a vehicle to be used to make a profit, or to be used in connection with a profit making activity.

Voluntary groups which act as ‘Umbrella Organisations’ for small bodies concerned with education, religion, social welfare or other activities which would benefit the community, can get a large bus permit for vehicles with more than 16 passenger seats. You can get these only from the Traffic Commissioner, who must be satisfied that the group has good enough facilities or arrangements for maintaining the vehicles.

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Community Bus Permits

Community bus permits are meant for a different purpose. They are issued to groups who want to run a local bus service on a voluntary, non-profit basis using unpaid volunteer drivers. These groups are usually committees of volunteers sponsored by their local authority where there is not any other bus service for the community in question.

Unlike other permit vehicles, community buses can carry the general public, and their main use is to give the public a local service (which must be registered with the Traffic Commissioner). Permits are issued by the Traffic Commissioner who can, at his discretion, allow the operator to use the vehicle for non-local services (e.g. contract hire) that help to give financial backing to the local operation.

Community bus operators have to run their local services just as reliably as professional operators. The Traffic Commissioner must also be satisfied that their maintenance facilities or arrangements are good enough. He can revoke the permit if standards are not kept up.

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Additional Information can be found in Driver Information Leaflets , Lorry and Bus Legislation, and from our National Number (0300 123 9000)

Page last updated: 09/09/2008