PSV restricted licence

[HeavenK76]

Hi

I'm trying to get as much info as possible to apply for a psv restricted licence.
I hope there are people on here that can advise and/or answer a few of the question that I have about this particular type of licence.
I know all the basics as I've done some research but there are some things not very clear to me.
I know that you can only own 2 vehicles with 8 passenger seats each, so that would mean I will buy a 9 seater if I'm correct?
You also have to preadvertise your journeys and charge separate fares for passengers.
Now some of this is tricky. You're not allowed to advertise at local worship places, pubs, meetups etc. So what is the ideal advertisement for this? Would social media be fine and acceptable for VOSA?
You also need to show documentation for this if asked for it and keep it for upto 12 months. What type of info is required exactly, such as pick up address of passengers, route, fare per passenger, how it's paid etc?
Can you pick up passengers from address or only meet up at a certain point such as a bus station or so. And if kids are travelling, would I be required to provide the correct child restraint/seats?
I plan to do airport runs mostly and some theme parks etc. during school breaks.
For airports, carrying suitcases, would a trailer be fine, and what kg max trailer would I look at?
Now one of the most difficult ones, what about insurance? Would a business one do or does it have to be hire and reward?

I know there are quite some questions but I hope you can help me out here.
Tia

 

[alasdair1982]

Hi,

VOSA no longer exists, It is DVSA.

A restricted license will only be granted if you can prove it supplements another business or is not your main source of income. They have got really strict on this in recent years as too many people were opting to apply for restricted as opposed to std national as the requirements are less. So if this is your main income then you will not be granted a restricted license.

know that you can only own 2 vehicles with 8 passenger seats each, so that would mean I will buy a 9 seater if I'm correct?

On a restricted license you can have no more than 2 x 16 seater's not 8

You also need to show documentation for this if asked for it and keep it for upto 12 months. What type of info is required exactly, such as pick up address of passengers, route, fare per passenger, how it's paid etc?

Not sure on pickup's, routes, timetables etc but your paperwork for the up keep of the vehicle needs to be kept for 6 years

Now one of the most difficult ones, what about insurance? Would a business one do or does it have to be hire and reward?

Insurance is not difficult, go to one of the specialist bus and coach insurers and they will advise. You will not get the correct insurance on money supermarket or the likes. And it is not cheap so advise getting a quote before you go any futher.

What industry experience do you have? I assume you know that you need a maintenance contract with an approved garage, have to have PMI inspections on a schedule dictated by DVSA, maximum will be every 12 weeks, depending on vehicles and mileage could be as low as every 4 weeks.

You will also need to have £4800 at all times available to prove you have the means to operate the buses and maintain correctly. This can be via a credit line but DVSA can ask for proof with 24hrs notice. Although I've rarely seen this happen and never for myself.

Ultimately you want to be on the right side of DVSA, Your life as a minibus operator on the wrong side will be very difficult. I know off and have seen several operators fall foul of DVSA and it has cost them their businesses and in one case a guy's house.