New regulations now state you need a licence to operate mini-buses.
We had a visit from the vehicle inspection authority last week, which has resulted in us having to remove eight seats from our 17-seater mini-buses.
We would also have to have the buses' maintenance checked every two months.
We cannot operate with the reduction of seats, as both our mini-buses are full every morning and evening taking children to and from school.
The mini-buses are still the same size but only have eight seats and also only need a class four MOT, which is the same as a small car. I just cannot see the logic in this.
Consequently these new regulations will result in us having to close our very busy out-of-school club. We cannot afford to put our drivers through the PCV training and test, either, which is now required along with an interim licence for the business.
I have been driving mini-buses for the past 14 years, so I think I am capable of still driving them without doing the test.
I'm desperate for help and do not know where to turn next. Does anyone know any way around this seemingly pathetic new legislation?
This is going to affect a lot of out-of-school clubs, and many will probably have to close. Is this what the Government wants?
* Mark Dolan, by e-mail, john.ralph@blueyonder.co.uk
