Teachers in Northern Ireland need license to drive a minibus

School teachers in Northern Ireland will no longer be allowed to drive school minibuses with a car driving license, the BBC has reported.

According to new guidance, a full D1 minibus license is now required and a driver certificate of professional competence.

The guidance was issued in a letter from the Department for Infrastructure to the Education Authority (EA).

The letter from the department’s director of transport strategy, Tom Reid, said: “"Anyone who is paid whilst driving, or is driving a minibus as a consequence of their employment, cannot be regarded as a volunteer and must have a D1 license.

"It is highly likely, however, that where a teacher is driving during school hours, on school business, where they are responsible for the pupils in their care and subject to disciplinary procedures, this would be viewed as either being paid whilst they are driving or driving as a consequence of their employment.

"As a result, under the current legislative framework, a teacher driving a school minibus will need a full D1 license.

"They will also need the driver certificate of professional competence."