Leasing FAQs
Anyone with the appropriate driving licence can drive one of the smaller minibuses. Drivers of larger 17-seat minibuses must have a D1 category on their driving licence.
Many schools and colleges need minibuses which can accommodate wheelchairs. Castle Minibus can supply a range of wheelchair-accessible minibuses with wheelchair restraint systems, ramps, and lifts.
No you cannot (by law) hire a minibus just to train. But as part of Castle driver training we provide the Euro 6 Ford Transport minibus with a tachograph that is required for testing.
Yes – however you will need a letter of authorisation and VE103 before travelling to the Republic of Ireland or Europe. You will need the correct insurance and overseas rescue assistance. In addition, minibuses travelling abroad will need a working digital tachograph and each driver will need their own individual tachograph card. Each driver must also hold an unrestricted D1. The Castle Minibus customer service team can explain this further and will be pleased to help you make the necessary arrangements.
Unlike cars (which do not require an MOT until after 3 years from new), minibuses must have an annual MOT test from year 1. Castle Minibus arranges the MOT as part of your Premier Service package. Your minibus is collected from your school or college premises and returned to you after its MOT test.
If you’re leasing a minibus we can have it delivered to you from two weeks including adding your logo and livery. If you’re hiring a minibus we have 600 sites UK wide so it can usually be delivered in 24 hours
You can choose between 2, 3, 4 or 5-year contracts. However, most schools and colleges choose the most competitively priced 5-year minibus leasing contracts.
In our experience, most schools have leases for 5,000 miles per year. However we will discuss your requirements with you so that your expected mileage is taken into account when calculating your rental.
Castle Minibus supplies tax discs (Road Fund Licences) for the duration of your leasing contract. Any changes to the cost of road fund licences will be invoiced or credited to your account as required. NB: From October 2014 paper tax discs are being abolished.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from a 9, 14 or 17-seater minibus.
Because the safety of your pupils and students is of paramount importance, Castle Minibus automatically arranges regular safety checks on your minibus, carried out onsite for your convenience.
Training FAQs
You must have held your driving licence for a minimum of 2 years and be over the age of 21. If you passed your test before January 1997 you will be able to drive a minibus on a not-for-profit basis anyway (because licences gained prior to January 1997 entitle the driver to drive a minibus, but not commercially). If driving for profit you will need to take your D1 driving test.
You can is the honest answer. However, at Castle Driver Training we pride ourselves with our 86% pass rate and believe this is due to our training process. We will help you pass your theory and hazard perception tests first, giving you a full understanding of what driving a minibus really means. Once you have passed these tests, your practical test will be arranged at a test centre near you. Your practical training will then be booked for the days prior to your test at a location of your choice.
The organisation taking the training will need to become the member, not the individual candidates. Castle Driver Training will help you with the process involved.
Simply book a medical with your GP. If you have any questions, please call and we’ll do everything we can to help.
You can use the enquiry link on the Castle Driver Training Website, email us at drivertraining@castleminibus.co.uk or call us directly on 01869 253744 where we will be more than happy to help you.
You will need to sit a multiple choice test of 100 questions within 75 minutes. A hazard perception test of 19 video clips within 45 minutes. Your final test will be your Practical Driving Test, which takes approximately 1 hour. Castle will provide you with helpful links and full support with your training for all of these tests.
This depends on each candidate. The whole process can usually be completed within a 12-week period. However, it can take longer depending on the candidate, medical and test availability.
We allow 4 candidates per day to complete the training. We can also arrange training on a half-day basis for 1-2 candidates.
Yes, but this will depend on the type of minibus you are wanting to complete your training in. Please call us on 01869 253744 or email drivertraining@castleminibus.co.uk for more information.
You need to complete a medical, send your driving licence to the DVLA to apply for your Provisional D1 category, pass your theory multiple choice and hazard perception tests and, finally, pass your practical training and practical test.
You will have your theory training and a small test in the morning, along with a ‘walk-around’. This will involve you walking around the minibus to understand the checks that should be completed before driving. The afternoon will consist of practical driving and any training for any improvements required.
Our Highly Qualified instructors will train you in a location of your choice. We also have a minibus that can be used, should you not have your own. Your practical test must be taken in a 17-seat minibus with a fitted tachograph facility.
Service Excellence
We understand what pressures teachers, school business managers, school governors and bursars are under, and what is involved in operating a minibus for a school. All our services are tailored to make your life easier.
The latest purpose-built modern, eco-efficient minibuses with additional safety specifications that help keep your children safe, e.g. reversing cameras
Low deposit and minimal cash outlay
Safety inspections completed onsite by our engineers to keep your complaint but save you from having to visit the garage
Flexible short-term hire solutions as we understand plans change last minute and we won’t penalise you for changes
We can have your vehicle branded for you before delivery
Fully managed minibus leasing including maintenance and safety inspections. Saving you over £2000 over a 5-year lease and keeping you compliant and hassle free
A guarantee that our mechanics, who come to your school, won’t over-charge or deceive you about repairs or checks
Driver Training that is dedicated to making sure D1 applicants are ready for both their theory and practical tests with a pass rate 50% above the national average
Providing the latest new Euro 6 Ford Transit minibuses for your staff to train in, picking them up from your school or even their home
Providing additional courses recognised by RoSPA for the compliance side of minibus management
A dedicated short-term hire team to provide quality cars, vans and minibuses from 1 month to 1 year at competitive rates just for schools
MiDAS training delivered by ADI instructors guaranteed to include a practical assessment
Talk to Castle Minibus today
We would be delighted to answer any questions you have and provide a no obligation quote and visit to your setting, with a demonstration minibus if required, at a time most convenient to you.