Passenger transport

This chapter covers the additional, specific requirements for operating passenger vehicles, including permits, drivers’ hours exemptions, registration of services, passenger behaviour and vehicle specifications.

Updates for 2023:

• Update to the PSVAR Home to School and Rail Replacement medium term exemptions introduced in 2022.

Updates for 2022:

• Update on the PSVAR Home to School exemption valid until 31 March 2022

Updates for 2021:

• Clarification from DfT on non-commercial definitions and how this impacts CPC &

• O Licence requirements.

• Clarification on short distance exemption also added as legislation passed late 2019.

• Update on the consultation regarding potential changes to PSV operator licence procedures and the introduction of formal tribunal rules to the Traffic Commissioner’s tribunal function.

• Latest developments on Public Service

• Vehicle Accessibilty Regulations exemptions.

Download the passenger transport chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law

Contents:

• Definitions.

  • PCV.

  • PSV.

  • Minibus.

  • Coach.

  • Bus.

• Operator licensing.

  • The definition of hire or reward.

  • Types of PSV operator's licence.

• Drivers’ licences.

  • Car licence holders.

  • Holders of vocational entitlement.

  • Age limits.

• Permit operations.

  • Voluntary group/Section 19 permits.

  • Community bus permits/Section 22 permits.

• Main occupation.

• Short distance.

• Driver CPC - Non-Commercial Carriage of Passengers.

• Drivers’ hours rules.

  • Drivers’ hours for passenger operations.

  • EU rules.

  • Special rule for single international journeys.

  • Domestic rules.

  • Exemptions to domestic rules.

• Registration and excise duty.

• Marking of PSVs.

• Marking of school buses.

• Outside lane ban on motorways.

• Speed limits.

• Speed limiters.

• Seat belts.

  • The seat belt system.

  • Types of seat belt.

• Technical standards for belts and anchorages.

  • Minibuses.

  • Coaches.

  • All vehicles.

  • Testing, certification and certificates of initial fitness.

  • Requirements to fit seat belts.

  • Front seats.

  • Rear seats.

  • Requirements to wear seat belts.

  • Front seat belts.

  • Maintenance.

  • Notifiable alterations.

  • Carrying passengers in wheelchairs.

• Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations.

• Type Approval/COIF.

• Stowage of luggage.

• Maintenance and inspections.

• Annual testing.

• Fire extinguishers.

• First aid kits.

• Towing.

• Locks and handles.

• Overloading.

• Designated sporting events.

  • Alcohol offences.

• Going abroad.

• Miscellaneous.

Download the passenger transport chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law