What you need to know about hiring a minibus

With more than 50 years of experience behind us here at Intack Self Drive, we’re proud to maintain a fleet of more than 450 cars, vans and minibuses – so wherever you’re going and whatever you’ve got planned, you’ll always have plenty of choice. Our minibuses in particular provide a straightforward way to efficiently transport a group of people – whether that’s for a family trip, a work event, or a weekend getaway.

Before you get behind the wheel though, there are a couple of i’s to dot and t’s to cross first. For example, you’ll need to make sure your intended driver (whether that’s you or someone else) meets all the key requirements – it can save you a lot of hassle in the long run! So, if you’re looking to hire a minibus, we’ve collated a quick rundown of all the key points you need to know.

What you need before hiring

OK, so as we touched upon, first we’ll be covering the driving requirements. First up – age restrictions. If you’ve had a look at any other hire companies already, you’ll generally find that most require drivers to be at least 25 years old. That includes us – if you’re hiring a minibus with 9 seats from us here at Intack Self Drive, you must be at least 25 years old and have held your licence for a minimum of two years. If you’re looking to hire a 12 or 17-seater minibus, you’ll need to have passed your driving test before January 1997, or hold a D1 category on your licence.

Insurance is another essential part of the hire process. Like most hire companies, we provide basic insurance cover, but it’s worth checking what’s included and whether you might benefit from extra protection.

In terms of documentation, when collecting the minibus you’ll need to bring:

• A full, valid UK driving licence
• A DVLA check code (available from the DVLA website)
• Proof of address (such as a recent utility bill or bank statement)
• A credit or debit card for the deposit and payment
• Any additional paperwork required for international travel (if applicable)

If you’ve got any doubts at all, don’t hesitate to contact us in advance to ensure you have everything required. It can be a bit of a nightmare if you turn up to collect the minibus without one or more key documents.

Where you can drive your minibus

While a minibus gives you the flexibility to travel as a group, there are certain restrictions on where you can drive. If your journey involves motorways, low-emission zones, or toll roads, it’s a good idea to check whether your hired minibus meets the necessary standards, just in case. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), for example, has strict emissions requirements that some older minibuses may not meet, which could lead to extra charges.

If you’re considering driving the minibus abroad, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with us in advance about exactly what this involves. While we do allow for international travel, there are a couple of conditions attached to that. Obviously, we want to ensure that our minibus comes back to us undamaged and on time, but we also want to make sure that you don’t face any avoidable difficulties during your travels either.

For example, you may need extra documentation, such as a VE103 certificate, to prove permission has been granted to take the minibus outside the UK. Weight limits and passenger numbers also affect where a minibus can be taken. Overloading can be dangerous and may result in penalties if legal weight restrictions are exceeded. Always check the minibus specifications and distribute passengers and luggage evenly. Again, if you ever have any doubts, you can just ask us.

Who can drive a minibus?

We’ve already talked about age restrictions – there are also some licence restrictions that apply too. Not everyone with a driving licence can automatically drive a minibus, so it’s important to check whether you meet the criteria.

If the minibus has more than 8 passenger seats, you will need a D1 category on your licence. If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you may already have a D1 entitlement on your licence, which allows you to drive a vehicle up to 16 passenger seats (as long as the vehicle is under 3500kg).

Driving a minibus is different from driving a standard car, so even if you meet the requirements, it’s worth considering whether you’re comfortable handling a larger model. Minibuses have a wider turning circle, longer braking distances, and different visibility considerations, particularly when reversing or changing lanes.

What is a Loss Damage Waiver?

If you’ve spent any time around our site so far, you may have seen a few mentions of the term Loss Damage Waiver. Sometimes known as an LDW, this is an optional extra that can provide peace of mind when hiring a minibus. Essentially, it’s a measure designed to help provide you with peace of mind when it comes to insurance.

If you do end up in a collision, or else in another situation which causes some kind of damage to the minibus, it will generally be covered by insurance. However, you’ll need to pay what’s called an excess – basically, a pre-agreed amount towards the total cost of the claim. If you buy a Loss Damage Waiver when you hire a minibus, this reduces your insurance excess to just £95.

You can find out more about the terms and conditions of a Loss Damage Waiver over on our FAQs page.

And of course, if you ever have any questions about any aspect of the hire process, don’t hesitate to talk to a member of our team! Or, if you’re ready to get started immediately on hiring a minibus, you’re in exactly the right place. You can always rely on us to give you the very best prices on a comprehensive range of hire vehicles.

In fact, we have a fleet of more than 450 to choose from, encompassing cars, vans and minibuses – so whatever type of vehicle you need, you can count on us to have you covered. We offer daily hire and weekly hire options, and if you’re not sure exactly how long you’ll need the car for, we also offer flexi hire to give you maximum freedom and flexibility.