Five things you should consider when buying a minibus

Securing the funds to buy a new car or van may not have been easy, but now that you have achieved it is the time to choose the minibus! Picking the right vehicle includes finding a minibus that offers you enough space so that you can design the interior just the way that you had imagined it.

Besides the interior, things you need to consider are what licence you will need and how many people you will need to transport. Do you need disabled access? How big should the vehicle be? Is it better to buy new or second hand?

What license will I need?

If you are planning on driving the minibus professionally you will need a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence in the UK. If you are using it for personal reasons a standard B car driving licence is usually enough. However, there are some regulations to pay attention to such as the number of seats in the car.

The minibus needs be a certain size and weight, depending on when you first received your licence. In order to qualify as a minibus, a vehicle needs to have a certain amount of seats, usually at least 9. The size can also influence the type of license you need.

Government restrictions may change so checking the most current laws will ensure that you have the right license to begin driving your minibus.

Do you need disabled access?

Some minibuses have enough room for up to 5 wheelchairs, but this depends on the size and number of seats. There are wheelchair accessible minibuses that can be driven with a standard license and still offer enough comfort and convenient access for passengers. Depending on where ramps and/or lifts are installed, the minibus can be entered through the side or the rear.

Should you buy second hand?

The key to choosing the right second-hand car or van is by doing enough research. If you have the time to carefully inspect each offer you could benefit greatly from choosing a preloved minibus. From inspecting the exterior of the car and looking for any kinds of signs of rust to deciding whether the mileage is worth the price or if there may be a better option.

After you have taken all the necessary steps and preparations, including finding a vehicle that is the right size, enjoy your new minibus and the freedom that it provides!