A Guide To Buying And Owning Your Own Bus Episode 2: Do I Have The Right License To Drive My Bus? 

Thanks Robin

Thanks Michael. Glad you liked it.

Thank you. Yes I will be doing bus rallies and running days in more detail at a later date. You're right about it being a Public Service Vehicle as it was originally called. When I took my test in 1997 it had become a Passenger Carrying Vehicle licence. Now it's even less glamorous as a Catogory D with several modules!

Thanks Mervyn. Glad you enjoyed the video. Bus driving is a brilliant job 99% of the time but it does have it's tricky moments admittedly.

I have worked as a consultant to one of the major national bus companies for nearly 20 years and without fail the senior engineering staff from depot to h/o have a very poor regard for the driving ability of their drivers. Many depots insist that the parking on the depot site is carried out by either the engineers or specialist 'shunters' to minimise the damage caused.

Some of the extra catogorys are a bit worrying aren't they? I don't think I'm ever going to drive a tracked vehicle although I have the licence for it!

You sure do.

There's quite a few of all sorts still around Sam. Not sure of the numbers but they are out there.

Yes indeed, so Big William was a HGV driver by trade. Although I suspect if you were thinking about stealing several million from the Italians, having the correct licence is the least of your problems.

just leave some seats :P

I'd speak to the DVLA but I'm sure if you do your medical you should be able to drive commercially again.

Hello. Is it a Volvo engined bus or Cummins? If it's a Volvo I would recommend making contact with someone who may have some diagnostic equipment (Maybe the Bromley Bus Preservation Group can help) as the Volvo engines have electronic fuel pumps which occasionally need to set up or reset. Also keep the electrical panels behind the drivers cab dry. Aside from that, Mastic or Stickaflex to go around and seal the window rubbers as they will probably leak - especially if she's parked outside. Don't use bathroom sealer... Always best to get a service kit and treat her to a oil change/oil filter and fuel filter change. I would suspect that a local commercial Volvo dealer could supply these. Treat yourself to some marine fuel additive to stop the algy growth in the fuel system. If she doesn't have an MOT the best thing would be to put her in for a test so you know what needs doing as the test would give you a list of issues to sort out if she failed. If she has an MOT - happy days - but check the advisorys to see what might be an issue in the future. Volvo Olympians do also suffer from very bad corrosion so if you can get underneath and check her properly. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

Another good 'route', to go down, would be to get in touch with your local bus preservation group. They will usually have members who have a similar vehicle to the one you described, as well as either parts to help you or knowledge of where to get them. If you let me know where you are, I could try to find out which ones are local to you. Or in the rally season, go to some local classic bus events and talk to owners and stall holders from bus groups there. Hope this helps and every success to you.

R139 EVX is stored in the garden of a countryside house between Canterbury and Folkestone

If it's a bus with seats then as far as I know it's a no no. The crazy thing is, if the bus has the seats removed then yes you definitely can.

@@jakeyb2003 if a bus is over 40yrs old it can be driven by a Cat B holder as long as its carrying no more than 8 non fare paying passengers

@@Jimbo-gi7xn 30 years Jimbo 😉

@@Jimbo-gi7xn 30 years.

Hi Steve. There seems to be a bit of confusion and it sound like you are referring to the Section 19 and Section 22 permits which is a minefield I've deliberately steered away from as the video would probably be twice as long! These permits do alter things from quoted but as I said in the video, I'm making it mostly for those in preservation or using large buses for motor homes or bars ect and the permits would confuse the issue. Yes totally agree about the C1 which takes you up to 7.5t, I'm talking about catogory C which is everything over 3.5t.

@jakeyb2003 yes, I understand. But you worded it in your video and stated that those who passed pre 97 with grandfather rights can drive most things over 3500kgs. If they have grandfather rights, they will have C1 which is a 7.5t with a 750kg trailer and C1E is upto 7.5t plus a trailer to give a combination weight of 8250kgs such as a 7t iveco luton and 1250kg trailer.

@@stevecampbell7589 Yes that is what comes up on the screen at the same time. The DVSA screen shot showing that.

@@stevecampbell7589 do what I did and get full bus and hgv 1 then you can drive anything

That's a very good question Jimmy. I will have to look into that but it does certainly seem that way although I believe you'd be scuppered by the insurance companies - they tend not to really like to insure anyone under 25, although it has been known with a special dispensation.

Yes a 17yr old could drive a bus over 30yrs old carrying no more than 8 non fare paying passengers obviously subject to the relevant insurance

Yes you're spot on Phill. When I took my test it had morphed into a Passenger Carrying Vehicle. Unfortunately my mouth and my brain aren't always connected as well as they should be!