Minibus World are proud to be leading suppliers of the Lightweight Minibus which is 3.5 tonne in weight and may be able to be driven on a car licence *(conditions apply).
Our Lightweight Minibus is the ideal minibus for schools, charities and voluntary or non-commercial organisations of all sizes:
The investment in a Lightweight Minibus from Minibus World makes sound commercial sense.
Our Lightweight Minibuses are commonly built on Ford and Stellantis (Peugeot, Vauxhall, Citroen, Fiat) vans. However, we also work with other manufacturers including Mercedes to bring the same quality and dedication to “Escape the Ordinary” when investing in a Minibus for your school or organisation.
From our base in Stoke on Trent we deliver nationwide and offer warranty and repair options that are local to you. We also offer Minibus Finance, Minibus Leasing, Minibus Hire Purchase, and Minibus Contract Hire ensuring that we meet your budget.
To find a suitable Lightweight Minibus please click the button below to view our stock. Alternatively please call 01782 444 289 to speak to our sales team.
*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.
Minibus World are Manufacturers of the CanDrive range of Lightweight Minibuses and below we help you to make sense of the Facts, Fiction, Type Approval & Scaremongering.
Have you come across the concept of a Lightweight Minibus? Not sure if its legal, safe or indeed the right vehicle for you?
Minibus World are manufacturers of a range of minibuses that may be able to driven on a car licence *(Conditions Apply), which fall under the general category of a Lightweight Minibus.
We come across some quite vociferous and seemingly convincing scaremongery about Lightweight Minibuses and wanted set the record straight on some of the more fictitious claims.
Our CanDrive range of minibuses hold GBSSTA Type Approval and have been witnessed by VCA. Not to mention our Stellantis Level 3 Convertor Status (the highest possible), and our Pro-One Recommended Minibuses!
Our seat belt anchorage system has been pull tested in-vehicle with the equivalent of 1.5 tonnes of weight per seat and its effectiveness witnessed and signed off by VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency). This is the Executive Agency of the UK Department for Transport that approves all road-going vehicles for use in the UK, including your own car and the Ford Transit factory-built minibus.
The D1 entitlement (the driving licence category for a minibus over 9 seats or 3500kgs in Maximum Authorised Mass) was automatically issued to anyone passing their driving test up to January 1st 1997. From that point the D1 minibus entitlement was no longer automatic. However, within 2 years of losing this entitlement UK Parliament had proposed, debated, drafted, agreed and implemented legislation to allow certain volunteer drivers of minibuses who only hold a category B car licence to drive out of category*.
Driving a Lightweight Minibus out of category does not circumvent the law, neither is it a loophole as some scaremongers suggest. It simply follows the letter and spirit of the law that Parliament implemented for this very reason! See the 1999 Driving Licence (Exemption) Regulations here and the DFT advice on licensing of incidental drivers here.
Lightweight minibuses aren’t really a mystical formula nor an ingenious unique design, just great quality manufacturing. In fact the term lightweight is a bit of a misnomer.
Some lightweight products are indeed light, but a number of “lightweight” products have been specifically adapted to carry wheelchairs and their occupants and therefore have a GVW of up to 4.25 tonnes. You could in fact drive one of our Peugeot Boxer CanDrive Minibuses weighing 2900kgs (and a GVW of 4250kgs) on a car licence if the relevant conditions are met.
The term Lightweight (or Lite) is just a marketing gimmick by some to give it a mystical aura. We would prefer to apply a bit of common sense and get to understand your needs to enable us to give you the best advice on which product suits you. We build as the name suggests a Lightweight product but this is mainly relevant for primary schools. The rest are not particularly light but you CanDrive them on a car licence. Not clever, just practical.
Please note: The above does not constitute legal advice. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they are legally entitled to drive the vehicle.
Whilst MIDAS is not a legal requirement and is purely voluntary Minibus World recommends it as trained drivers are safer drivers. It is estimated to cost £1,000 per person to achieve a D1. MIDAS can cost as little as £100 per person and can be achieved in one day on your site.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding vehicle safety, Type Approval or indeed any aspect of owning, running, financing or leasing a minibus please do not hesitate to get in touch.
*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.