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Minibus Safety Inspections2023-11-13T19:07:42+00:00

Did you know?

If your organisation operates a minibus under a Section 19 Permit, you are required by the DVSA to carry Minibus inspections every 6 or 10 weeks (depending on the age of your vehicle)

I just want to have a chat with someone about minibus inspections

As the largest provider of school safety inspections in the UK, we make this process effortless for you and your school.
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Safety Inspections 2021

Whether you are a Castle customer or not, you can give us a call and we can demonstrate how easy it is to get your minibuses inspected and meet your legal obligations as a Section 19 Permit holder.

Minibus Safety Inspections with Castle Minibus

  • Available to non-Castle customers

  • Our engineers call you to arrange the next inspection

  • We come to you with the minimum of fuss

  • We carry out a 80+ point inspection that is completed by an expert, independent engineer

  • DVSA/Police approved reports for your records

  • UK mainland coverage

  • We are the most trusted provider for providing safety inspections with over 10,000 inspections carried out a year

  • Our engineers can also arrange for your annual MOT

Minibus safety checks and safety inspections – they are not the same thing

Minibus safety inspections are legally required inspections that need to be completed by qualified engineers every 10 weeks (6 weeks for vehicles of 12 years and over)

Minibus checks are those completed by school staff or drivers before the vehicle is used – this might be every day. (Please click here to see our free app)

For more information please see our post What is the difference between Minibus Safety Inspections and Minibus Checks

Who needs DVSA minibus safety inspections?

Minibus Safety Inspections are required if you are operating your minibuses under a Section 19 Permit or a PSV Operator’s Licence. The frequency of inspections changes dependent on the types of vehicles you are driving and the licence or permit you’re operating under.

Minibus Safety inspections are not an advisory, they are a legal requirement, in addition to services and MOTs.

The government’s guide to roadworthiness states:

Operational needs must not override safety considerations. Safety inspections should, where it is practicable, be programmed to follow a time-based pattern. The frequency at which inspections are undertaken should be determined by assessing the level of mechanical degradation likely to be incurred over a period as a result of the vehicle’s usage. This will depend on such factors as:

  • the age and type of vehicle operated
  • the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer
  • the nature of its load, the equipment and fittings it carries or supports
  • the type and range of operations on which it is likely to be engaged
  • the type of terrain and the nature of the environment in which it operates or is likely to operate
  • the distance and speeds at which it travels and the journey times.

Assessing the above factors for each vehicle will, in the majority of cases, enable a time-based programme of inspections to be formulated. Some operations, however, are subject to continuous change, or vehicles can frequently be reassigned to alternative tasks or routes, making the adoption of a strictly time-based inspection programme impracticable. Mileage-based inspection programmes may be more suitable for some operators but will need to be linked to time.  (Source. 4.2 Safety inspection intervals DVSA Guide to Roadworthiness)

Why are minibus safety inspections every 10 weeks?

The Government’s Section 19 and 22 Permit recommendations for vehicles under 10 years of age state;

‘bearing in mind that passengers are to be carried on your vehicle, and possibly a number of different drivers used, you should carry out more frequent safety checks. DVSA recommend that inspections are carried out at least every 10 weeks.’

Read the full government advice here in Section 11.3

Safety Inspection details on the Section 19 Permit application

From May 2021 the application form for the Section 19 Permit requires you to evidence your minibus safety inspections and provide deals of who is carrying out the maintenance on your vehicles. You are required to submit supporting evidence that you are having this maintenance carried out.

Castle Minibus is the UK’s leading provider of minibus safety inspections for schools. We work with two national fleets of mobile engineers who will complete the inspections on your premises. For more information on Section 19 Permit and safety inspections visit the gov website or give our compliance team a call on 01869 253744 who will help you.

Call today to see what we can do for you 01869 253744

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Castle Minibus completed over 10,000 minibus safety inspections in 2021. Why not contact us today to find out how convenient our service is for making sure you get your legally required minibus inspections.

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Minibus Safety Inspection FAQs

Why do we need regular safety inspections?2021-09-01T14:52:59+00:00

They are a requirement under a Section 19 Permit in addition to MOTs and services. Recommended every 10 weeks (regardless of milage) for minibuses under 12 years old and every 6 weeks for vehicles 12 years and older.

Who can complete a minibus safety inspection?2022-05-26T13:29:28+00:00

A ‘qualified’ engineer needs to complete your safety inspections and ideally it should not be the engineer that complete services and MOTs. If an issue is identified this should not be resolved as part of the inspection.

Do the 6 or 10 week safety inspection replace the daily walk-around checks?2022-05-26T13:29:17+00:00

No, these checks are in addition to the daily walk around checks, MOTs and services.

How long does a safety inspection last?2022-05-26T13:29:07+00:00

A proper safety inspection should take 45-60 mins.

Do I need to keep records of my safety inspections?2022-05-26T13:28:54+00:00

Yes, you need to not only keep records that these inspections are completed for 15 months but also have 6-month plan in place for MOTs, services and inspections.

Where can I read more about vehicle safety inspections?2022-05-26T13:28:29+00:00

What is a minibus safety inspection checklist?2022-06-27T15:44:25+00:00

A minibus safety inspection checklist is what engineers complete when they do a safety inspection. This checklist lets the school know if there are any problems with the vehicle. Minibus Safety Inspections are required under a Section 19 Permit and need to be completed by a qualified engineer every 10 weeks (or 6 weeks for vehicles over 12 years old) regardless of mileage.

Owners of minibuses also need to complete daily/weekly checks to ensure the vehicles are ready to be driven, and there are no faults or issues. Castle Minibus has a free minibus safety checklist app that drivers can download with a 12-point and 40-point checklist that they can then send to their designated transport manager to be managed and filed.

 

What are minibus 10-week safety checks?2022-05-26T13:24:42+00:00

If you operate your vehicles under a Section 19 Permit you are required to have a minibus safety inspection, or check, every 10 weeks ( 6 weeks for vehicles over 12 years old) regardless of mileage. These checks need to be completed by a qualified engineer and are as well as regular services and MOTs but it is recommended you use an independent engineer for safety inspections.

What are minibus safety checks?2022-02-15T11:40:48+00:00

There are two types of minibus safety checks that schools or organisations operating under a Section 19 Permit need to be aware of.

Daily minibus safety checks, sometimes called walk-around checks,  should be carried out by drivers to ensure there are no problems with the vehicle and it is ready and fit for the journey. Castle Minibus have a free minibus checklist app that drivers can download with a 12-point and 40-point checklist that they can then send to their designated transport manager.

Watch a video from Castle Minibus of how to complete a daily minibus safety check

Minibus Safety inspections are required under a Section 19 Permit in addition to regular services and MOTs. These checks need to be completed by a qualified engineer and the DVSA recommend they are completed every 10 weeks ( 6 weeks for vehicles over 12 years old) regardless of mileage.

 

What are Minibus Safety Inspections?2022-02-15T11:25:03+00:00

Minibus safety inspections are required if you operate under a Section 19 Permit. The DVSA recommends safety inspections every 10 weeks, or 6 weeks for vehicles over 12 years old, regardless of mileage. These checks are in addition to regular services and MOTs but it is recommended you use an independent engineer for safety inspections.

Castle Minibus offer minibus safety inspections to schools and organisations across the UK. Our mobile engineers come to your school to complete these checks and leave you with the relevant paperwork that needs to be filed and kept for at least 15 months.

What are the coach minibus safety inspection intervals?2022-05-26T13:23:39+00:00

The DVSA recommend that Minibus Safety Inspections are completed every 10 weeks for vehicles less than 12 years old, and every 6 weeks for vehicles over 12 years. This is regardless of milage.

For more information visit DVSA Guide to Roadworthiness

 

What is a minibus safety inspection?2022-05-26T13:23:09+00:00

A minibus safety inspection is a thorough check completed by a qualified engineer to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy. Minibus Safety Inspections are required under both a Section 19 Permit and PSV Operator’s licence every 10 weeks for vehicles under 12 years old – as recommended by the DVSA, regardless of mileage.

How often do you need a minibus safety inspection?2022-05-26T13:23:01+00:00

The DVSA recommends that minibus safety inspections are completed every 10 weeks for vehicles of 12 years and under, regardless of mileage, and every 6 weeks for vehicles 12 years+. These checks are as well as regular servicing and MOTs

Is a minibus safety inspection the same as a service?2022-05-26T13:22:52+00:00

No, a minibus safety inspection is different to a regular service, and both are required, along with an MOT, to ensure roadworthiness. It is recommended by the DVSA that a minibus safety inspection is completed every 10 weeks for vehicles under 12 years old and that it is carried out by an independent qualified engineer – not the same engineer that completes the MOT and service.

What are DVSA minibus inspections?2022-05-26T13:22:41+00:00

The DVSA updated its guidance in 2017 recommending that minibus safety inspections should be completed every 10 weeks for vehicles under 12 years old, and every 6 weeks for those over 12 years of age. These inspections are required to prove roadworthiness and are a condition of the Section 19 Permit and Operators’ licence. They are in addition to services and MOTs.

Who can complete a minibus safety inspection?2022-05-26T13:22:27+00:00

A minibus safety inspection is not the same as a walk-around check and has to be completed by a qualified engineer that can certify the vehicle is roadworthy. It is recommended that these safety inspections are completed by an independent engineer to identify any issues to potential failings – repair work can then be completed, but not as part of the inspection. The DVSA recommends that these inspections are completed every 10 weeks for vehicles under 12 years old, regardless of mileage or how often they are used.

Is a minibus safety inspection the same as a daily or weekly check?2022-05-26T13:22:16+00:00

A minibus safety inspection is not the same as a daily or weekly check as it needs to be completed by a qualified engineer and includes a thorough inspection. A daily or weekly check also called a walk around check is completed by drivers before they take the vehicles on the road to ensure there aren’t any obvious issues with the minibus, such as a bald tyre.

Who needs DVSA minibus safety inspections?2022-05-26T13:21:56+00:00

If you are operating a minibus under a Section 19 Permit or PSV Operators licence, you will require minibus safety inspections every 10 weeks for vehicles under 12 years old (every 6 weeks for vehicles 12 years+). These checks are regardless of milage, or use of the vehicle and the paperwork must be kept for 15 months.

What paperwork is required for minibus safety inspections?2022-05-26T13:21:45+00:00

The DVSA requires holders of a Section 19 Permit to have a 6-month plan of their minibus maintenance schedule that includes services, MOT and minibus safety inspections. On completion of the inspection, the engineer will provide a copy of the inspection checklist that organisations are required to keep for 15 months. When applying for a Section 19 Permit (new or renewal) details of your vehicle maintenance arrangements are required including contracts/agreements from your safety inspections provider.

How long does a minibus safety inspection take?2022-05-26T13:21:36+00:00

A minibus safety inspection should take around 45 minutes and includes the removal of the wheels to check tyres and brakes. The engineer will complete a checklist that they leave with the school identifying any issues, or potential issues. The engineer completing the check will not/should not complete any remedial work. It is recommended that minibus safety inspections be completed by an independent engineer who is not also responsible for service and MOT.

Can minibus safety inspections be completed at school?2022-05-26T13:21:19+00:00

Yes, unlike a service or MOT a minibus safety inspection can be completed onsite by a mobile engineer. Castle Minibus are the UK’s leading provider of minibus safety inspections, having completed over 10,000 in 2021 with two mobile engineer partner organisations. Minibus safety inspections are a requirement under a Section 19 Permit and details of maintenance arrangements including a copy of an agreement/contract are required when applying for a permit.

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