Q I am employed as a driver by a hospital group
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and regularly drive coaches carrying other employees between their homes and places of employment. For this service a charge is made; it does not cover the whole cost of the journey but is regarded as a contribution toward the cost of providing the service and the difference is made up by subsidy from the hospital board.
Because the coaches belong to the group of hospitals they are exempt from Excise duty. Do I need a psv driving licence to drive these vehicles?
A A passenger vehicle which is not a public service vehicle may be driven on an ordinary (Part III) car licence irrespective of the number of seats. However, if it is a public service vehicle (psv) then a psv driving licence will be required by any person called upon to drive it. The
answer to your question then depends on the classification of the vehicle you drive.
The classification of a Public service vehicle is contained in Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1960. Section 117 (I) states that "For the purpose of this Act a public service vehicle is a vehicle used for carrying passengers for hire and reward . . .". Taking this and the definition of hire and reward contained in schedule 12 of the Act together, it would appear that the vehicle which you drive is a psv and you should be in possession of a psv driving licence in order to drive it.
However, Section 118 (5) of the Act states that if the vehicle is used for the purpose mentioned in Section 1 (L) of the National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1957 then it shall not be treated as carrying passengers for hire and reward. Presumably this refers to the carriage of patients but this is by no means clear.
If you wish to be on the safe side, it is suggested that you put your question to the Traffic Commissioners for the Western traffic area. The address is Gaunt's House, Denmark Street, Bristol, BSI 5DR. Otherwise it would be prudent for you to obtain a psv driving licence.