Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Getting your class there and back, with a driver

A school trip is a big day for the pupils and a long one for the staff. You'll want a vehicle that fits the class, a driver who knows where to stop, and a plan that parents can trust.

Before you book

Your school's visits policy comes first. Government guidance for England expects some trips to have a risk assessment, careful planning and approval from the head or governors, and the consent rules depend on pupils' ages. Once that's settled, send us the date, the headcount including staff, and the time you need to be back at the gate.

If you'd usually take the school's own minibus, bear in mind a teacher can drive it on a car licence only when nobody is paying for the journey. Hiring a minibus with a driver takes that question away: the driver holds the right entitlement and the operator holds the PSV licence.

Executive Sprinter minibus, exterior
Executive Sprinter minibus, exterior

Belts and younger children

Any coach or minibus first used since October 2001 has belts on the seats that face forwards or backwards. Pupils from 14 up must wear them, and a quick word before setting off helps the younger ones do the same.

Minibus rules for smaller children are stricter, so tell the operator the ages in your group, especially for infant or nursery classes.

Rules worth knowing

  • DfE guidance says some trips need a risk assessment, detailed planning and the informed approval of the headteacher or governing board
  • In a minibus, children from age 3 up to 135 cm or their 12th birthday must use a child restraint or, if none is available, an adult seat belt

Historic cities by road

Old centres need a little planning. In York, nothing with more than 16 seats may go inside the city walls, so a coach lets pupils off at one of the council's coach parks or rendezvous points, such as Foss Bank for the Minster. A minibus of 16 seats or fewer has more freedom there.

Oxford offers set-down bays but nowhere central for a coach to park, and in Cambridge the central drop-off is on Queen's Road, along the Backs. Build a short walk into the day and it runs more smoothly.

Your questions

How many adults should travel with the class?

That comes from your school's policy and risk assessment, not the vehicle. Count staff and helpers in your numbers too.

Will the driver help supervise the pupils?

The driver's job is the driving. Supervision stays with school staff, so decide who sits where and who counts heads at each stop.

Can you help with daily home-to-school runs?

Regular closed-door school services have their own accessibility rules and exemptions. This page is about trips and residentials, so tell us if you need something ongoing and we'll say what's possible.

Cities

Vehicles