.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
Who Can Drive a Minibus? A Complete Guide
6 min
READ MORE >
From four seater cars, to lorries for transporting goods, the range of vehicles available on the market is as varied as the purposes they serve. Among some of the most common types, particularly for moving groups of people, are vans and minibuses.
Though vans and minibuses may seem familiar at first, they both serve distinct purposes and have different features. In this blog, we will dive into the key differences between vans and minibuses, so that you can better understand which is best for your business’ fleet.
A van is a type of vehicle designed primarily for transporting goods or small groups of people.
Whilst vans can come in many different shapes and sizes, most are typically enclosed, with a cargo area separate from the driver. Depending on their design, vans can be used for many purposes, from delivering packages, to transporting tools and equipment. Some businesses even opt to use their vans as mobile workspaces.
There are several types of vans, including:
1. Cargo Vans: Designed primarily for transporting goods, cargo vans usually have no windows in the rear section, and come equipped with shelves or other organisational tools to keep equipment in place whilst moving.
2. Passenger Vans: On the other hand, passenger vans are designed to carry people, often seating between 7 and 15 passengers. These are typically used by schools, businesses and charities to transport passengers.
3. Conversion Vans: Custom van conversions are typically used for recreational purposes, with owners choosing to add beds, kitchens and even bathrooms to make them suitable living spaces.
Vans are incredibly versatile vehicles, with their spacious interiors making them popular amongst businesses and families alike.
As the name suggested, minibuses are smaller versions of buses. They are designed to carry more passengers than a car or van, but less than a full sized bus, making them popular for tourism, schools, charities and sports teams who regularly need to transport groups of people between destinations.
Minibuses can typically carry between 12 and 30 passengers, depending on their configuration.
1. Passenger Capacity: Minibuses are specialist vehicles designed specifically with passenger transport in mind. Unlike vans, which can be repurposed for different uses, minibuses are almost exclusively used for carrying passengers. It’s for this reason that if your primary goal is to transport passengers in your vehicle, we’d recommend choosing a minibus rather than a van.
2. Comfort and Accessibility: Because they are designed with the comfort of both the driver and passengers in mind, most minibuses come with features to enhance passenger comfort such as high-backed seats, windows and saloon and step well courtesy lighting. Specially designed wheelchair accessible minibuses will also have additional accessibility features such as passenger lifts, handrails and slip-resistant flooring.
3. Multiple Configurations: While all minibuses are designed to carry more passengers than a van might, they come in various configurations. Some minibuses may have more seats, whilst others might prioritise space for wheelchairs or luggage.
For businesses that need to transport groups of people, but don’t have the need for a full-sized bus, minibuses offer a good balance between capacity and manoeuvrability.
Whilst vans and minibuses may look similar, they are built for different purposes, and have distinctive features that set them apart.
1. Purpose and Design
Arguably, the most significant difference between vans and minibuses lies in their intended use. Whilst vans can be used for a variety of purposes, minibuses are specifically designed for carrying passengers.
Vans typically have a robust design, with the storage space or passenger area located separately from the driver's seat, which keeps their space clear from clutter.
Boasting multiple rows of passenger seats, minibuses are laid out more like a bus, prioritising passenger comfort and practicality.
2. Seating Capacity
Seating capacity also marks a major difference between vans and minibuses, with vans typically seating up to 15 people, whilst some minibuses can seat up to 30. Our standard minibus has either 15 or 17 seats depending on configuration.
It’s also important to note that the seating design in minibuses is optimised for passenger comfort and safety, with more spacious seating and features like armrests and seat belts. Vans, whilst comfortable, aren’t typically designed for this level of comfort, as they’re usually dual-purpose.
3. Size and Manoeuvrability
Vans are slightly smaller and more compact than minibuses, meaning that they’re a bit easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces or busy areas. It’s for this reason that they’re popular amongst businesses that need to make frequent stops, such as those that offer delivery services.
Minibuses are larger than vans and tend to require a bit more space, but they’re much better suited for transporting groups of people over long distances, meaning that manoeuvrability is less of a concern. This additional on-board space is also good for storing items such as luggage or sports equipment.
4. Versatility
Typically, the versatility of vans is what makes them really stand out. Vans can be customised to meet a wide range of needs, from being a live-in vehicle, to transporting goods for commercial purposes.
Many minibuses, on the other hand, are usually less customisable. However, at Minibus.co.uk, we pride ourselves on offering customisable options to suit your business’ needs.
5. Driving Experience
Curious about the difference in driving experience between vans and minibuses? Driving a van is relatively straightforward, with good visibility and handling that doesn’t differ drastically from smaller vehicles.
Minibuses, though not as large as full-sized buses, require a bit more skill to handle due to their increased size and weight. To drive a minibus, you may find that you need a D1 Licence and additional training, which is especially important if you’re going to be carrying a larger number of passengers. You may also find the driving experience different, with the higher seating position and wider turn radius presenting challenges for those typically used to driving cars.
6. Regulations and Licensing
Another key difference that’s important to note when purchasing a new van for your fleet is the licensing requirements. Though a standard driver’s licence is sufficient to operate a van, minibuses often require a D1 Licence.
7. Cost
Finally, comes the issue of cost. Vans can be initially less expensive than minibuses, but if you’re looking to use them for passenger transport, you may find that the price is justified by the increased capacity and passenger comfort.
Now that you know the difference between vans and minibuses, it might be time to choose which is best for your fleet. Before purchasing, it’s essential to consider what it is that you need the vehicle for. For example, if you need a versatile, cost-effective option suited to handle a mixture of cargo and passengers, you may find that a van works for you.
However, if your primary goal is to transport larger groups of people comfortably and safely, we’d strongly recommend choosing a minibus for more seating and better passenger amenities. Minibuses are particularly useful for tourism, schools, charities and sports teams, as they often need to move groups of people at once.
Are you looking to improve your organisation’s group transport capabilities? If you want to add a new minibus to your fleet, check out Minibus.co.uk’s range of vehicles, all designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind. Or, if you’d rather speak to one of the team, make an inquiry, and one of our team of experts will be in touch with you soon.
