Purchasing a School Minibus - Three Frequently Asked Questions

If you're considering purchasing a minibus for your public or private educational institution, there are many questions that must first be answered. This is a list of the most commonly asked questions when purchasing and operating a not-for-profit school minibus.

Please note that these questions apply to minibuses operating to deliver students to and from a non-profit educational institution and drivers operating on a volunteer basis i.e. not for hire or reward. Regulations differ for drivers working for monetary and other gain, and for-profit schools.
Must minibus drivers volunteer their time?

A teacher or volunteer can drive a minibus without compensation. If a teacher is required to drive the school minibus according to their contract, they'll be required to obtain a D1 certification on their driver's license. If a teacher or volunteer does not have this endorsement, and they're driving on a purely voluntary basis, he or she will be permitted to drive a vehicle with 16 passengers or less, and abide by specific weight requirements.
What is Payload?

The amount that a vehicle can carry is known as its payload. The payload weight is determined by subtracting the vehicle's Kerb weight from its GWV. To meet appropriate safety standards, mandates require a weight allowance of 71Kgs per passenger.

To help regulate these weight restrictions for volunteer drivers, many manufacturers have begun developing "lightweight" minibuses using lighter construction materials and fewer options. This can maximize the number of passengers that a volunteer can carry. It is important to remember that no volunteer driver can carry more than sixteen passengers.

What are the Alternatives to Lightweight Minibuses?

If your school has drivers who are operating on a volunteer basis, and cannot afford a new lightweight minibus, there are a few options that you can consider. These include:

• Reduce the seating of your current minibus. By providing just one fewer seat on a sixteen seat minibus, you'll gain an additional 5kgs per passenger of payload allowance.

• A vehicle that has been modified to carry wheelchairs weighs more than a traditional minibus. This loophole allows for an increase of allowable payload.

When you're looking for a school minibus, there is a wide array of options to consider. These include cost of purchase, cost to operate, and whether you'll be hiring a driver for pay. You'll also be required to consider payload, weight of the minibus, and whether your educational institution purchase a lightweight minibus.