FOI 854-2025 / Aug 2025 / Minibuses
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 854-2025
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 14th August 2025 as follows:
Around 2013 / 2014, a guidance document was published, written jointly by the Department for Education, the Department for Transport and Association of Chief Police Officers. The guidance document stated that where a teacher is not obligated to drive a school minibus by their contract of employment, they may be classed as "volunteer" minibus drivers and therefore drive a 17 seat minibus on a Cat B licence, not requiring a Cat D1 licence
"This guidance has been cleared by the Association of Chief Police Officers, who will promote awareness of this legislation amongst local traffic police officers."
Q1. Can you please confirm that this information was indeed passed to your force?
Q2. How would your Traffic Officers view anyone driving a 17 seat minibus on a Cat B licence as per the published guidance. Would your force prosecute the driver for not holding a Cat D1 licence?
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Response: Warwickshire Police do not hold any specific recorded information in relation to your request. Please note that the Act only extends to requests for recorded information and does not require public authorities to answer questions if this would mean creating new information, or giving an opinion or judgement that is not already recorded.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB