Why our CanDrive Minibuses and MiDAS training make the best of both worlds

In this article we'll look at how our safety-first lightweight minibuses and appropriate training offer the best solution to a school or charity's transport needs.

What is MiDAS training and do I need it?

MiDAS is simply Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme – a national standard for the training and assessment of minibus drivers. While it's not a legal requirement, Minibus World highly recommend it – trained drivers are after all safer drivers.

Devised by the Community Transport Association, the training covers theory (health & safety, codes of practice etc.) and the practical (manoeuvring, defensive driving and so on). It concludes with a short test paper and an on-the-road-driving assessment. As such and even though it lasts just a day, it is extremely thorough and a good investment for a school, community group or charity.

There are a number of companies providing standard MiDAS training around the UK including many local councils, with refresher courses and add-on training also offered.

Bear in mind that even with MIDAS training, you can still only drive a minibus for which you are entitled to drive, and there are limitations.

What about a D1?

D1 entitlement essentially allows you to drive a minibus with no more than 16 seats.People who passed their driving test before 1997 will have an automatic D1 entitlement. If you passed your test after 1/1/97 you will need a D1 entitlement on your car licence in order to drive a minibus, and this means training and a test.

The average pass rate for the D1 test is only around 55% with the D1 training cost estimated at around £1,000 pounds per person. But as we'll see, there are minibuses you CanDrive without a D1 licence... andMiDAS training can cost less than £100 per driver.

What's best for my organisation?

The sweet spot for the cost-conscious charity, school or community group is, we think, our CanDrive minibus combined with MiDAS training. MiDAS training is the perfect complement to the rigorous safety standards our minibuses are built to.

Our CanDrive minibuses are specially built for the education, charity and volunteer sectors, and come in various configurations depending on your specific requirements, especially useful if you're a school or disabled group with a need for a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Both our wheelchair accessible and lightweight minibuses can be driven by members of staff on their ordinary car licence.



We offer 4 types of CanDrive Minibuses, depending on your needs, the CanDriveLight, Flexi, Maxi and EasyOn. All offer great advantages for schools, charities or other organisations:

• Competitive, industry leading pricing for new purchases; great deals for leasing, hire purchase or contract hire; and low running costs
• Internal layoutsthatare highly flexible, with configurations for up to 6 wheelchairs or up to 16 passengers
• Many satisfied customers around the country. The chances are we have supplied a minibus to someone in your neighbourhood! Don't just take our word for it, read our testimonials.
• No D1 required: The CanDrive minibus range does exactly what it says on the tin – quality, affordable minibuses can be driven on a car licence.

For more information about the CanDrive range and MiDAS training visit our CanDrive Minibuspage or call our CanDrive team on 01782 444 289.

June 21, 2016