A New UK wide network of PCV Instructors

The Minibus website is currently constructing a new directory containing details of PCV driving schools
and other associated training available to minibus
operators and drivers throughout the UK.

A register for cars and trucks but not for minibuses

If you were learning to drive a car or truck then you would benefit from either the DSA’s (Driving Standards Agency) ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) network or a list of qualified LGV instructors. However, when it comes to learning to drive a minibus, bus or coach things become rather more difficult.

The standards which allow someone to become a PCV instructor, compared with that of a car instructor or the voluntary LGV Instructor register, are low. Car Driving Instructors have to undergo three separate tests to ensure that their knowledge, driving and teaching skills are of a high standard. Many LGV Instructors follow a voluntary code operated by the DSA, which follows a similar programme of high standards, yet, to become a fully legal PCV Instructor all you need is to have held a PCV licence for three years …and nothing more!

Voluntary minibus training schemes may not be legal

To make things worse, minibus driver awareness schemes are incorrectly regarded as “professional driver training” which they are not as these schemes allow almost any car licenced volunteer to act as minibus assessor/trainer. Contrary to popular belief, this practice is not supported or endorsed by the DSA or DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency), who also claim that any practical assessments or instruction given in a minibus MUST be given by a driver with a D1 or D PCV entitlement held (obtained by separate test) for three years.

As a consequence minibus operators and drivers have been given excuses that minibus driving and training is a “gray area” and the only advice is either to “look in the yellow pages” or “come back when you have done your theory test” which quite frankly is totally unacceptable.

How to find a PCV instructor with qualifications

However, there are many good PCV Instructors out there, who have more than just a PCV licence. Many have additional experience and qualifications like, driving instruction, fleet training or NVQ’s (National Vocational Qualifications). Yes! A National Register of PCV instructors does exist, but it is not held by the DSA nor is it available to aid the general public, consequently choosing a good PCV driving instructor with high standards can be a very difficult task in itself.

Therefore, in absence of any publicly available register of PCV instructors available to the public, the Minibus website intends to create a new UK network of PCV instructors through a directory which will also highlight additional standards and qualifications held by instructors and driving schools.

Wanted PCV Instructors...

Are you currently a PCV Instructor and would like to find out more about joining the network?