Replating

[SaFi]

Does anyone know what is involved in replating a new 15 seat minibus from 3.7 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes?

[edmaltby]

WHY

[SaFi]

Two of my drivers only have 3.5 tonne licences and I have heard that replating can be done as a purely paper exercise but need to know for definite before committing to buying a new bus or finding a lighter alternative which only seems to be a Nissan Interstar.

[coconut]

I pretty sure it has to go to VOSA, never heard of a 3.7 ton minibus

[SaFi]

The brochure states that the 15 seat minibus has a GVW of 3700 kg.

[coconut]

Fair enough

What does it say on the chassis plate

[SaFi]

Unfortunately I don't know. The one I presently own is a 51 plate 3.5 tonner, the contentious one is its as yet unpurchased replacement.

[belly]

i looked into this just recently whilst looking for a jumbo drw which are mostly 430s! basically you have to get a form from your loca vosa centre fill in the details they will then contact ford for a list of what needs doing! ford charge for this service! you will then need to get any parts and any work required done then its back to vosa for your inspection/test all being well you will get a new vosa issued plate like a lorry one that will need fitting in the passenger door area! now this was for a 430 van! so might differ for a minibus! the fees were around £27 for initial form (cant remember form number ) £100 for the vehicle report and info from ford £? parts required (not always neccessary) £? any work required (again not always neccessary) and about £98 for vosa inspection! also whilst all this paper chase is going on the vehicle isnt technically supposed to be used unless from test/garage etc etc then after all that and vosa have finished youve got to inform dvla about your re classifaction detail/tax etc etc these people offer a service to do the paper side of things and get any parts req! very helpful too http://www.svtech.co.uk

[SaFi]

Thanks Belly.

[sc_BK]

To drive a 15seater you need a D or D1 licence, weight doesn't come into it?

[ake]

Thats what I was thinking if they don't have a license for over 3.5 ton they won't have a license for more than 8 seats

[SaFi]

We are a charity with a bus permit which allows exemption to some of the rules as we are not operating for hire and reward.

[markbonz]

hi i dont think you would be allowed as you would have to have the minibus re coifed ,also you would have to have some of the seats removed to allow for the drop in payload ,also worth bearing in mind the laws are changing on charitys and schools using minibuses without psv licenses speak to vosa ask for psv dept they are very helpfull ,good luck

[SaFi]

Thanks Mark

[Kedishen]

To drive a 15seater you need a D or D1 licence, weight doesn't come into it?

Technically you can drive a 16 seater if you are not incurring a financial gain.. ie you are volunteering.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-a-minibus

Woops,didn't notice how old this thread was or as it turns out read below that quote above where the exact same tihng has already been mentioned!