Who needs the MiDAS qualification?
All drivers must have a current MiDAS qualification in order to drive our minibuses.
What is MiDAS?
MiDAS (Minibus Drivers Awareness Scheme) is an award winning, nationally recognised, assessment and training scheme for minibus drivers in the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors.
MiDAS is administered nationally by CTA UK (Community Transport Association UK).
MiDAS Assessment provision
We have a trained MiDAS assessor to undertake the classroom based theory and on road driving assessment. The qualification is valid for 4 years, after which time you just need to complete a renewal assessment to remain qualified.
Standard or Accessible Certificate
There are 2 levels of assessment – standard and accessible.
The standard assessment provides information on passenger safety, child passenger safety, defensive driving, accident and emergency procedure and responsibilities of a minibus driver.
The accessible assessment module is compulsory for drivers who intend to carry passengers with mobility difficulties (e.g. those travelling in wheelchairs and those who may require using the passenger lift). It includes information on securing wheelchairs within the minibus and use of the passenger lift in additition to the information included in the standard assessment.
How much does a MiDAS assessment cost?
The cost of the assessments are as follows:
Standard Assessment is £116.40
Accessible Assessment is £138.00
You can renew your MiDAS certificate for £64.80. You can’t renew a MiDAS certificate if it has expired more than 3 months ago.
Group Discounts
If you would like to book a date for more than 1 person you can do it for a GROUP of up to 4 people. Every person needs to be examined for the same type of assessment (E.g. standard) and on the same day.
What are the requirements for the assessment?
You must be over 21 years of age and hold a full (not provisional) current driving licence.
It is preferable for drivers to have a D1 entitlement on their driving licence. If drivers do not have a D1 entitlement they are limited to drive buses under a certain weight. Currently Community Transport only has a couple of buses under this weight which will restrict the availability of suitable buses to drive.
Drivers who passed their car-driving test on or after 1st January 1997 will not automatically have a D1 entitlement on their licence and are therefore required to meet higher medical standards and take a further test to obtain a D1 entitlement to drive a minibus in the U.K. and abroad.
Drivers who passed their test before 1st January 1997 retain their D1 entitlement to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats in the U.K. Community Transport still requires that all drivers have a valid MiDAS qualification as well.
BOOK A DATE – CHECK AVAILABILITY AND ASK FOR PRICE.
Whether you are booking for someone else or for yourself, you can complete the MIDAS BOOKING REQUEST FORM. We will get back to you with available dates according to your request or we can check the availability of the dates you would like to book. We will also calculated a price for your course.
For courses done at our side, we only take bookings on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you prefer the instructor to travel to your side, you can make a booking on a different weekday.
Apply for a MiDAS assessment (this form is only for candidates)
Presumably the Midas Booking request form is already completed and you know the dates of your course. The candidates now can apply to the course by completing this form.
Fill our online MIDAS Assessment Registration Form: MIDAS Application form
This form must be completed by each candidate attending to the course.
You will be asked some questions such as:
- Personal details
- Who is paying for your assessment
- Details to check your driving licence online(by providing your NIN or a check code)
- To upload a copy of your driving licence (back and front)
- Other driving history questions
- The type of assessment you would like to take: STANDARD or ACCESSIBLE
How long does the assessment takes?
| TIMES PER SESSION | 1 PERSON | 2 PERSONS | 3 PERSONS | 4 PERSONS |
| Approx. | Approx. | Approx. | Approx. | |
| STANDARD | 4.50 hours | 4.75 hours | 5 hours | 5.50 hours |
| ACCESSIBLE | 5 hours | 5.25 hours | 5.50 hours | 6 hours |
| 1 PERSON | 2 PERSONS | 3 PERSONS | 4 PERSONS | |
| Approx. | Approx. | Approx. | Approx. | |
| REFRESHER STANDARD | 2 hours | 2.25 hours | 2.50 hours | 3 hours |
| REFRESHER ACCESSIBLE | 2.50 hours | 2.75 hours | 3 hours | 3.50 hours |
Where will the assessment take place?
It normally takes place at our office and premises.
However the instructor could travel to your side. You will need to provide a room for the Theory part of the assessment. There is some extra cost for this option depending on the distance.
The driving part of the assessment could be done with one of our vehicles or you may prefer to use your own.
Driving licence questions -What licence do you need to drive a minibus?
Q: I don’t have “D1” on my driving licence. Does that make a difference?
A: Volunteer drivers do not need “D1” on their driving licence, but are restricted on the weight of the vehicle that they can drive.
The law around whether you need a “D1″ on a driving licence to be able to drive a minibus is complicated
The simple answer is “maybe” as it depends on a range of factors. The key question is whether the driver is being paid to drive the minibus, and whether the minibus is being driven “for hire or reward”.
Q: Do I need a ‘clean’ driving licence to be able to take the MiDAS course?
A: It is for your own organisation to decide (probably in consultation with their insurers) whether or not an individual may drive one of their vehicles.
Q: Do I need a ‘clean’ driving licence to be able to drive a BCT minibus?
A: BCT (in consultation with insurers) will decide whether any endorsements affect your ability to drive a BCT vehicle. We will need to know the date and reason for any ‘points’ to help us reach our decision.
Q: I have a non-GB driving licence. Can I still drive a BCT vehicle?
A: Yes, non-UK licences can be used providing BCT is able to verify the accuracy and legitimacy of the licence. You should note, however, that a non-GB licence is only valid for 12 months after moving to Great Britain. Further information available from direct.gov.uk
Training questions
Q: Can I park my car at BCT when attending the training course and/or driving assessment.
A: There is parking available at our Protran House depot, but parking spaces are limited and not all belong to our organisation. We allow one vehicle to use the parking during the training. If you are a group of up to 4 people we suggest to share the same vehicle or you would need to find your parking outside our depot.
Q: Is lunch provided?
A: Delegates should make their own arrangements for lunch. The trainer will be able to direct delegates to local cafes or alternatively delegates may prefer to bring something to eat. Hot drink facilities are available for free and a microwave oven
Q: Is tea/coffee provided?
A: There is opportunity at the start of the training session, and during the training session for free cups of tea or coffee.
Q: Do you provide a minibus for the driving assessment?
A: Yes, unlike many other MiDAS training providers the BHCT charges include free use of a BHCT minibus for the driving assessment; no charge for vehicle hire, no charge for mileage.
Q: I’d prefer to use the minibus I’m familiar with, is that OK?
A: Yes, you can use your own vehicle for the driving assessment. Just let the Driving Assessor/Trainer (DAT) know when you’re arranging the date of your driving assessment.
Paying for your course
Q: How do I make payment?
A: Payment should normally be made by card (online payment), bank transfer or cheque. After confirming the dates of the course, the person making the booking will receive a confirmation email from our reservation site (Checkfront). The invoice will be attached to it and you will find information about how to pay.
Please submit your payment no later than 14 days after you receive the invoice/confirmation, or no later than the date of the course.
Brighton & Hove Community Transporte 