16-seater minibus hire with driver
Move bigger groups to events, matches, tours and corporate trips in a minibus you drive yourself.
- £15k-55k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
9,699 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 49390 “Other passenger land transport”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A minibus with driver for larger groups, such as sports clubs, school and community trips, weddings, tours and corporate events. It is a step up in size, licensing and cost from an 8-seater.
Your first three steps
- Check what driving entitlement you need to drive a 9 to 16 seat minibus for hire or reward (usually category D1, and probably a Driver CPC), and what the medical and training involve
- Check the PSV (public service vehicle) operator licence requirements with the Traffic Commissioner. A vehicle with 9 or more passenger seats used for hire or reward normally needs one, and you will need to show you meet the requirements, including finances, maintenance arrangements and a suitable operating centre
- Line up a few regular customers, such as clubs and venues, before committing to a vehicle
Who pays
Sports clubs, schools, churches and community groups, wedding parties, tour groups and companies.
How it makes money
Quoted per trip or per day, based on mileage and waiting time. Regular contracts such as club travel or staff shuttles give steadier income.
Skills that help
- Confident driving of larger vehicles
- Quoting and invoicing
- Building relationships with groups and organisers
Watch out for
- Carrying paying passengers in a vehicle with 9 or more seats normally requires a PSV operator licence from the Traffic Commissioner, and you cannot rely on a taxi or private hire licence for this. Confirm the rules for your exact set-up before you buy a vehicle or take bookings
- Drivers need the correct entitlement (usually D1) and, for commercial work, probably a Driver CPC. Check the current rules with DVLA and the Traffic Commissioner
- Drivers' hours, tachograph and maintenance record rules may apply, so check before you start
- Insurance for larger passenger vehicles is expensive, so get several quotes and make sure it covers hire and reward
- A big vehicle sits idle midweek, so plan for quiet periods and repayments
- Vehicle safety checks and MOTs must be kept up to date
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: 16-seater minibus hire with driver
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a 16-seater minibus hire business?
Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £55,000, depending on the vehicle, insurance and licensing. These are estimates, so get several insurance quotes before you buy a minibus.
How much can a 16-seater minibus with driver earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on bookings and hours worked. This is an estimate of revenue, and you should plan for quiet midweek periods and vehicle repayments.
What licences do I need to run a 16-seater minibus for hire?
Check whether you need a PSV operator licence from the Traffic Commissioner, as a taxi or private hire licence may not cover this. Also check driver entitlement (usually D1), Driver CPC, and drivers' hours and tachograph rules with DVLA.
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