D1 · DVSA · Bus & coach licences

D1 minibus licence training

Drive minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats, for community transport, schools, care services and clubs.

Category D1 (minibus) training at Nithcree

About this course

A D1 licence lets you drive a minibus with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres, towing a trailer up to 750kg. Community transport groups, schools, care providers, sports clubs, hotels and tour operators all need D1 drivers, and a car licence alone does not cover most minibus work. You train with a PCV-qualified instructor who has driven passengers for a living, covering the vehicle checks, the reversing exercise and the smooth, passenger-aware driving the DVSA examiner looks for.

What you’ll learn

  • Vehicle safety questions and walkaround checks
  • S-shaped reverse into a bay
  • On-road training with passenger comfort and safety in mind
  • Preparation for the DVSA practical tests

Before you start

Provisional D1 entitlement, a D4 medical and passed bus and coach (PCV) theory tests.

The steps to a bus licence follow the same order as a lorry licence: medical, theory tests, then training and the practical tests. Our licence guide walks through them, and the bus licence FAQs cover what is different.

Why train with Nithcree

Since 2001
25 years of training in Dumfries
90%
of candidates who train with us pass
260+ years
of industry experience among our instructors

Nithcree grew out of a family haulage business, and every instructor has driven, lifted or loaded for a living. Meet the instructors or read how nine in ten of our trainees pass.

Questions

Common questions

What is the difference between a D1 and a D licence?

D1 covers minibuses with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres. Category D covers any bus or coach with more than 8 passenger seats, so it is the full bus and coach (PCV) licence. Both allow a trailer up to 750kg. See our D1 minibus and Category D courses.

Do I need a lorry licence before a bus licence?

No. You only need a full car licence. Apply for provisional bus entitlement with a D2 form and a D4 medical report completed by a doctor; there is no application fee.

Which tests do I need to pass for a bus licence?

The bus and coach theory test (100 multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test), then an off-road test with an S-shaped reverse into a bay, and an on-road driving test with vehicle safety questions. If you will drive buses or coaches for a living you also need the full Driver CPC, which adds a case study test and a practical demonstration test.

How old do I need to be to drive a bus?

You need to be over 18 to apply, but the minimum age for some bus and coach work depends on the type of driving and your Driver CPC. Call us on 01387 256528 and we will explain what applies to you.

Can I tow a trailer with a bus licence?

Category D and D1 allow a trailer up to 750kg. To tow anything heavier you need D+E or D1+E. Ask us if you need trailer entitlement as well.

How long has Nithcree been training drivers?

Since 2001. Nithcree grew out of a family haulage business and opened its Dumfries training centre that year. Our Perth centre has been open since 2021, and we have been a registered NPORS plant training centre since 2024. Read our 25-year story.

What is your pass rate?

90% of candidates who train with Nithcree pass. Our instructors have more than 260 years of industry experience between them, and two are DVSA reverse examiners. See how we do it.

Can I get funding for my training?

Possibly. Scottish funding, No One Left Behind employability support and English schemes can cover some or all of a course, depending on where you live and your circumstances. See funding options or ask us to check before you book.

Where are your courses held?

Every course runs at our Dumfries centre in Heathhall. LGV and B+E courses also run at our Perth centre.

Do you train staff for employers?

Yes. We train individuals and whole teams, from complete beginners to experienced staff who need refreshers, Driver CPC hours or an NPORS experienced worker test. Call us to plan training around your work.

How do I book?

Call 01387 256528 or send an enquiry. Tell us what you want to drive or operate and your experience, and we will recommend the right course and check funding before you commit.

Ready when you are

Book a course or ask a question