Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS)

MiDAS is a nationally recognised training scheme organised by Hampshire County Council and the Community Transport Association UK (CTA), which helps improve safety by working with organisations to improve driver standards. It is available to all schools, colleges, voluntary organisations and council departments using minibuses. By joining the scheme, organisations may benefit from reduced insurance premiums.

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

MiDAS comes in two forms - Standard and Accessible. Standard refers to a fully seated minibus, such as may be used by a mainstream school. Accessible would refer to a vehicle that has facilities to enable a wheelchair user to board and alight using a passenger lift or ramp, and specialist equipment to secure both the user and their wheelchair. Neon specialises in Standard training although Accessible will be available shortly.

All drivers do a half day general theory session, followed by a multiple choice theory assessment. The final element, for all minibus drivers, is an on-road assessment of their driving ability that will last for approximately one hour. For a MiDAS certificate to be issued all the applicable sessions need to be attended and the assessments passed, although opportunities exist to do re-takes where needed. Every attempt is made to try and achieve this during the course, however if it requires another visit by the trainer this may incur additional costs. To make the course cost effective a minimum number of four candidates is usually required although lesser numbers can participate with another organisation. We can deliver induction and refresher training to your drivers.

FACILITIES

The course is self-sufficient and only needs the use of a class or staff room although most organisations prefer to use their own vehicle and equipment (OHP or powerpoint screen). Written material is available to back up all training courses and each organisation participating can obtain copies of a 'Minibus Driver's Handbook' especially produced by MiDAS. The certificate issued allows members to drive vehicles of other organisations trained by MiDAS throughout the country, although refresher training is required every four years.

COSTS

'Being an employee of HCC and registered to deliver MiDAS I can offer this training within HCC's guidelines of £50.00 per candidate, plus £5.00 per handbook, if required. A benefit of using a locally sourced trainer is that there are no supplemental charges for travel or accommodation, and the on-road assessments can be done individually at various times, limiting disruption to your teams working hours.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Driving a Minibus - (D1) - Licence Entitlement.

If you first passed your car driving test before 1st January 1997, you will probably automatically have entitlement to drive a minibus* on a 'not-for-profit'** basis. Exceptions to automatic entitlement include medical restrictions and where licences have been renewed or updated but continuation of D1 entitlement has not been specifically requested.

*A minibus is defined as a vehicle constructed or adapted to carry between 6 & 16 passengers.
**A not-for-profit basis includes use under a Section 19 permit but excludes use connected to activities incidental to making a profit - i.e. private Nursing Homes etc.

If you first passed your car driving test after 1st January 1997, you can only drive a minibus under certain restricted situations:

At least 21 years old
Held full licence for minimum of 2 years
Not tow a trailer
Drive on a Voluntary Basis
Maximum vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes if fitted with passenger lift or ramp)

It is the last two requirements that cause most difficulty - there is currently no clear legal definition of the word “Voluntary” in the context of minibus driving and the majority of minibuses now have maximum weights (GVW’s) in excess of 3.5/4.25 tonnes.

If you wish to drive a minibus for profit, wish to use one in an activity that’s incidental to making a profit or first passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 and do not meet all the terms of the exemption, you must obtain full D1 licence entitlement from Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

So putting it simply, your candidates need to have passed their car driving test before the 1st January 1997.

(Hampshire County Council are currently helping with the cost of getting younger teachers through the D1 test. Contact the Road Safety Team for more details at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety/ )

CONTACT

For more information contact Peter Grist on

the numbers below

or click the link to e-mail.

Tel: 02380 445936

Mob: 0773 021 3983