When planning to hire a minibus with a driver, it is essential to verify all details, including the driver’s license, type of minibus, its maintenance, seating arrangements, luggage storage, and overall cost per mile. Most travellers often make the mistake of ignoring all the crucial aspects of their trips and end up paying more than they initially expected in the overall budget. But in reality, travelling within the budget is much easier if you have already done the research.
Let’s break down what you should know before investing for your next travel day.
Vehicle Requirements
Do not ignore the vehicle requirements. Start by confirming the number of passengers and luggage you plan to travel with. You must hire a minibus that can comfortably accommodate your group and match their seating preferences. If you are travelling with luggage, you might also want to consider a boot space section in the choice of minibus.
Minibuses are available in different sizes and brands of Mercedes, Ford, Toyota, Peugeot, and many more. That is why choosing the right size and brand is important if you are looking for specific features.
- 8 - 12 Seater Minibus: A rather small-sized minibus vehicle, but highly manoeuvrable for local travel at an affordable price.
- 13 - 16 Seater Minibus: These are compact minibuses with better luggage storage, making them highly suitable for school trips, picnic plans, and business travel.
- 17 - 25 Seater Minibus: This fleet of minibuses is ideal for large group weddings, athlete transfers, festivals, conferences and everything in between for a comfortable journey for a large group.
You should also confirm any special requirements, like additional seating plans, wheelchair accessibility or a restroom in the vehicle. Just share the complete details with the booking professionals ahead of time, and they will make the right arrangements before the travel day.
Vehicle Maintenance & Safety
Apart from the minibus size and amenities, you must also book a minibus that regularly undergoes maintenance and safety checks. That is because the last thing you would want to go through is a vehicle breakdown in the middle of the trip, resulting in a late arrival at the destination.
Simply ask the booking executive about the status of maintenance, cleaning and safety features like seat belts. This will not only allow you to keep a safe side, but also make a mindful spending decision for a road trip in the United Kingdom.
Driver Licence
The licensing requirements in the UK are pretty strict when it comes to driving a minibus or a large coach. That is why you must always hire a minibus with a licensed driver who is well-trained and local to the region. It is worth noting that a category D1 license is required for driving an 8 - 16 seater minibus, while for a minibus larger than 16 seats, you should look out for drivers with a category D license.
Overall Cost
Before even starting the journey, you should confirm the price for the overall mileage coverage of your journey. This is very important to control your travel plans within the budget and avoid the last-minute hassle of hidden prices and taxes. Clarifying all the details of cost and services you need will give you better control over your budget and even adjust the travel requirements wherever required.
It is easy to overlook the important aspects of your trip in all the chaos of planning. However, incorporating these simple practices, from confirming the final quote, group size, and license to the choice of minibus and amenities, will go a long way to make your journey an ideal experience.
