To apply for a Minibus Permit, please use the online application below.
We will then process your application and tell you the outcome within 28 working days.
Please read the Guidance notes section below, before submitting your application.
Guidance Notes
- City of Wolverhampton Council may issue permits in respect of “small buses”, i.e. vehicles adapted to carry more than 8 but no more than 16 passengers. If the vehicle is adapted to carry more than 16 passengers you should apply to the Traffic Commissioners, West Midlands Traffic Area, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1PL Tel: 0300 123 9000.
- City of Wolverhampton Council is able to issue permits to itself and to the following bodies:-
- Those to whom the Council may make grants under Section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. These are broadly voluntary organisations providing, promoting or publicising services for the elderly, disabled, mentally ill or children. For further information please consult the Council’s Social Services Department.
- Schools or bodies fulfilling the Council’s duty under the Education Act 1944 with respect to the provision of education and bodies connected with such schools or bodies.
- Bodies which assist and co-ordinate activities of community bodies within Wolverhampton.
- A permit may be granted to a named individual on behalf of a body if, having regard to the nature of the body, the Council considers it appropriate to do so.
- If the classes of passengers that you intend to carry conform exactly to one or more of the following standard classes, please indicate in answer to Q.6 only the letters below signifying those classes. If, however you intend to carry some class that cannot be described, please indicate this by the letter ‘F’ and then give full details of that class. Remember that everyone (including attendants) must be accounted for. Please note also that the Act does not allow permits to authorise the carriage of the public at large. The standard classes are:
- Members of the Body holding the permit.
- Persons whom the Body exists to benefit, and persons assisting them.
- Disabled person or persons who are seriously ill and persons assisting them.
- Pupils or students of any school, college, university or other educational establishment and staff or other helpers accompanying them.
- Persons living within a geographically defined local community, or group of such communities, whose public transport needs are not met other than by virtue of services provided by the body holding this permit.
- Any other classes of persons specified in the permit.
- Please remember that the Act provides that vehicles may not be used with a view to profit or incidentally to an activity which in itself carried on with a view to profit.
The requirements as to the fitness of a minibus first used before 1 April 1988 are either -
- Those specified in Regulation 5 to 28 of the Minibus (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations 1977 as amended, or
- Those specified in Regulations 41 to 43 of the road vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 for a minibus first registered on or after 1 April 1988.
For a vehicle first used on or after 1 April 1988 those mentioned in (b) above apply.
The vehicle must carry at least one fire extinguisher and a first aid box complying with the requirements set out in the above Regulations.
- The permit is no longer tied to a particular vehicle, so that a body can change its vehicle, hire one from elsewhere or share one with another body without obtaining another permit. However, if a body operates more than one vehicle it must hold sufficient permits to cover the number of vehicles operated.
- It is essential that proper arrangements be made for preventative maintenance inspections, reporting of defects and any necessary repair work. The manufacturer’s recommendations may provide a useful guide in many cases as to how frequently a vehicle should be inspected and what items should be checked. The most important point are wheels, tyres, brakes, steering, suspension and lights. More frequent checks may be necessary the older the vehicle is. Drivers should also be told to report any defects and arrangements should be made so that any necessary repairs can be made promptly.
- You will find it advisable to choose someone in your organisation who will take on the responsibility of ensuring that these requirements are met and who can make the necessary arrangements with whoever is to do the actual maintenance work for you. He/she should have sufficient authority to be able to ensure that a vehicle is put in for regular inspections and is kept off the road until any defects are rectified. In the same way it should be clear who within your organisation has the responsibility for dealing with insurance, and checking that all the drivers are properly licensed, suitably experienced and aged 21 or over. Passengers may not be carried when the vehicle is being driven by a learner driver.
- Under Part VI of the Road Traffic Act 1988 insurance against liability for personal injuries to third parties is compulsory. If in doubt as to whether your policy covers use of the minibus in accordance with the permit for which you are applying, you should check with the insurers.
- All permit vehicles must be M.O.T. tested annually from the end of their first year.
Copies of the regulations referred to in the application form and in these notes are obtainable from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, DPO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN, Tel No: 0870 600 5522 or www.tsobookshops.com
A guide to the operation of minibuses by voluntary organisations (PSV 385) is obtainable from the Traffic Commissioners at the address given in note 1 above.
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