Q We are a registered charity, operating minibuses and non -hgv
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vehicles for charitable purposes and do not infringe the "hire and reward" sector. Could you say what is the maximum seating capacity .permissible without a psv licence or vehicle where the drivers are 18 or 21 respectively?
Could you confirm that we could have these vehicles MOT tested at any station at the moment? As we do not come under psv regulations, do we require first-aid kits and/or fire extinguishers on any of our vehicles?
AAs you are not operating for hire and reward you do not need drivers with psv driving licenses or psv licenses for your vehicles. If you were to operate for hire and reward and your vehicles had eight or more passenger seats then you would have to abide by psv regulations.
Drivers over 21 can drive non-psv minibuses of any weight, but those over 18 can only drive vehicles under 7.5 tonnes (7.38 tons) laden. As minibuses are not plated the DoE determines the laden weight by multiplying the unladen weight by four.
You can have the vehicles tested at any garage approved by the DoE for carrying out annual tests that has the equipment to examine the vehicles.
As you do not come under psv regulations you do not appear to need first-aid kits or fire extinguishers legally, although we would certainly suggest that on passenger safety grounds you carry this equipment.