Driving the LCV minibus

On this page:

Introduction

LCV has a legal and moral obligation to do our best to carry our volunteers safely.

We operate a Fiat Ducato 13-seat minibus. We have made some modifications to the minibus to make it more suitable for conservation volunteering.

Driver's information

The laws that surround the use and management of a minibus are complicated. We have talked to our local community transport associations, and have put together the following information based on their advice.

Small print: this information is distilled from our recent MiDAS course, and various books by the Community Transport Association. If you run a minibus, you should consult them for advice. You use the information contained here at your own risk!

Practical information for drivers

Our minibus should have in it everything you need when you are driving it.

The first place to look for advice is the Driver's Pack, which contains the following:

Elsewhere in the minibus you will find:

Don't forget...

Legal information for drivers

A more detailed list of the legal requirements that affect you as a driver can be found on pages 39 - 56 of the MiDAS Minibus Driver's Handbook.

Bus lanes.
You can drive our minibus in a bus lane unless the word local appears in the bus symbol.
Doors and windows
All doors must be unlocked when there are passengers inside the vehicle. You must be able to see clearly through all windows, so don't let them get steamed up.
Exits
There must be a clear gangway for each passenger to two exits.
Seatbelts
Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers in every seat in our minibus.
Speed limits

In some cases these are different to the speed limit for a car. Where there are no signs setting a lower limit, the speed limits for minibuses are:

  • 30 mph in built-up areas
  • 50 mph on roads subject to the National Speed Limit
  • 60 mph on dual carriageways
  • 70 mph on motorways

The van has a speed limiter fitted.

Vehicle condition
As a driver you are at all times responsible for the condition of the vehicle that you are driving. The driver must check, and be satisfied with, the state of the headlights, tyres, steering, brakes, fire extinguisher and first aid kit before using the minibus. This responsibility cannot be passed on to LCV.

Policies and procedures

Our minibus policies and procedures represent our understanding of best practice for running our vehicle.

Minibus policies

It is LCV policy that...

Minibus procedures

Vehicle checks
The driver will check the minibus before each use and record the results of the check on a log sheet from the Driver's Pack. For convenience we also provide download links for the log sheet and driver form.
Defect reporting
The driver will report any defects with the minibus to the Minibus manager using the fault reporting form from the Driver's Pack. The LCV Van Manager will arrange for the fault to be fixed and will record this on the fault reporting form.
Servicing
The LCV Van Manager will arrange for the minibus to be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and will record details of the servicing.
Driver training.
All drivers will have a familiarisation session before taking volunteers in the minibus for the first time. The LCV Van Manager will keep a record of this session.
Driver registration
The LCV Van Manager will keep a record of the licence details of all drivers. Drivers will tell the LCV Van Manager if any details of their licence change.

Driving your own vehicle on LCV business

If you will be using your own car to join LCV on a task or for some other LCV related activity you should check that you have appropriate insurance coverage with your insurer. Some insurers consider unpaid work to be "business use".