Roads

Getting a provisional PCV D1 licence

To get a provisional licence to drive a minibus as a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV), pick up forms D4 and D2 from the Post Office. D4 is for the medical examination and once that has been carried out successfully, send the completed forms D4, D2 and your current driving licence to:

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Swansea
SA99 1BR

Candidates should prepare for their theory test by getting copies of:

• Driving Buses and Coaches (ISBN 011 55 24 86-X)
• Official Theory Test for Drivers of Large Vehicles (ISBN 0 11 55 23 46-4)
• Roadsense Hazard Perception (DVD ROM ISBN 011 55 24 94 0)

All of these are available from the Driving Standards Agency by mail order (phone 0870 243 0123) or from larger bookshops. You can also test yourself with sample theory test questions on the Driving Standards Agency website: (www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=469).

The whole of both manuals and the DVD should be studied thoroughly, as questions in the theory test are the same for PCV D1 drivers as for PCV D (full size bus) drivers. Topics such as drivers' hours, air-braking systems etc. must all be learned.

The theory test book is split into two: buses and lorries. All the questions refer to drivers of large vehicles. Questions marked with a lorry symbol can be ignored. Questions that are unmarked or marked with a bus symbol must be studied, however. The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 85 out of 100. Find out more about the test at www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/vehicledrivers/learningtodrive/becomingalorryorbusdriver/busandlorrydrivertheorytest.htm.

Once the candidate has passed the theory test, suitable dates for training can be arranged. During training, the practical driving test can be arranged. Tests are best arranged with a credit card for ease of booking and the telephone number to use for both practical and theory tests is 0870 0101 372.

Medical examination

Appointments can be booked by phone at:

• PHC Medical Centre, Maidstone and Canterbury - 01622 677775.
• Wells Clinic, Ashford - 01233 660490.
• Dr M J Sheill, Tunbridge Wells - 01892 530265.

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Approximate costs

• Provisional licence: free.
• Theory test: £21 (facility available in Gillingham and Canterbury).
• Practical test: £85 (weekdays) £103 (Saturdays and weekday evenings).
• Training: £25 per hour. The average person needs 12–18 hours' training, depending on their ability. A good working number on a vehicle is two trainees per session. The training period may be condensed when there are two per vehicle, as they will learn from each other. When conducted on a one-to-one basis, however, training is best spread over a longer period, as intensive training is not recommended.

Please note:

• Not all types of minibus can be used for the test. Please confirm with the council's Road Safety Team, using the details below, that your vehicle is suitable before training starts.
• The minibus used for training must display L-plates, be insured for training purposes and have insurance cover for the instructor to drive it for demonstration purposes.
• It is very helpful if an area large enough for practising the reversing exercise (part of the test) is available. A space about the size of two tennis courts is needed for this.

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