The driving licence requirements for the use of preserved vehicles is complex, owing to several consecutive changes in the law, and has been misquoted at times in the press.
Reproduced below is a table showing the various requirements, based on information provided by the DVLA at Swansea.
| BUSES & COACHES OVER 30 YEARS OF AGE | BUSES & COACHES LESS THAN 30 YEARS OF AGE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum number of passengers permitted | Use for Hire or Reward | Maximum number of permitted passengers | Use for Hire or Reward | |
| Persons with ordinary car licence who are over 21 years of age and passed their car test before 1/1/97 | 8 | No | Limited to vehicles not exceeding 17 seats | No |
| Persons with ordinary car licence who are over 21 years of age and passed their car test after 1/1/97 | 8 | No | Limited to vehicles not exceeding 8 seats | No |
| Persons with Restricted PCV (known as "Grandfather Rights") | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | No |
| Persons with PCV licence | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Yes |
| Persons with HGV licence for 2 years | Drivers who hold
full Large Goods Vehicle (LGV, formerly HGV) driving entitlement may also
continue to drive large buses provided they have held the licence for at
least two years and the vehicle is:
|
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| These notes were originally compiled in January 1998 with the guidance of the DVLA, Swansea, and is believed to still be current, but should not be construed as legal advice. The interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts and is open to any individual to take legal advice on their behalf. | ||||