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How many passengers can i drive on a car licence

How Many Passengers Can I Carry On A Car Licence?

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How Many Passengers Can I Carry On A Car Licence?

It’s a great question, which deserves a simple answer!
 
We know that many people unexpectedly find themselves in a position where they’re requested to drive passengers, whether it be as an addition to their employed role in Education, Care, Social Groups or from a voluntary perspective.

Most people won’t hesitate to say “Yes”. Then the questions begin:

  • “Is this legal?”
  • “Does my licence allow this?”
  • “Is there a limit to how many passengers I can carry on my car licence?”
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Let's put your mind at rest and tackle some of those concerns (as much as possible).

“How many passengers can you carry on a car licence?” and the equally as often asked question, “Can I drive a Minibus on a Car Licence” have an officially “grey” answer.

Let’s start with “How many passengers can I carry on a car licence?”

The first area to cover is “when did you gain your full licence?”

If you gained your full driving licence before 1st January 1997 you very likely hold what is classed as a D1 licence. This allows you to carry up to 16 passengers. That means you could drive a Minibus for a school, charity, care home, voluntary group etc. You can not drive a Minibus for a Taxi service.

We said the answers “Grey” didn’t we.

Here is where it’s slightly more complicated!

If you passed your car licence after January 1st 1997 then you may still be able to carry 16 passengers* but there are conditions that need to be met:

  • Aged 21 Years or older
  • Held a driving licence for a minimum of 2 years
  • You’re not “driving for reward”
  • You’re driving the vehicle voluntarily and only for social purposes
  • Vehicle can not weigh more than 3.5 Tonnes (4.25 when fitted with specialist equipment for disabled passengers i.e. A Wheelchair ramp)
  • You’re not towing a trailer
So, 16 passengers is the allowance in the UK (Conditions Apply)

How many passengers can I carry abroad?

Should you be asked to drive abroad you will need to contact the licencing authority of the countries you will visit.

RECAP:

  • “Is this legal?” Yes
  • “Does my licence allow this?” Yes / Yes (With Conditions)*
  • “Is there a limit to how many passengers I can carry on my car licence?” 16*
  • “Can I drive a minibus on a car licence?” Yes / Yes (With Conditions)*
View All Minibuses Driveable on a Car Licence

*Please note: Conditions apply for driving a minibus on a standard B licence. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they are legally entitled to drive the vehicle. This is not, and we do not offer legal advice.