Do I need a Section 19 or 22 permit?
It can be confusing to know exactly what paperwork is needed, this is something we can give you some guidance about but below is some useful information if your considering what permits you might need.
The official information about this topic can be found on the government website :
What type of permit do I need?
There are 2 types of permit issued under the Transport Act 1985:
- permits issued under section 19 - relating to the use of vehicles by educational and other bodies
- permits issued under section 22 - community bus permits
Section 19 Permit
Section 19 permits are either ‘standard permits’ for vehicles which are adapted to carry no more than 16 passengers (excluding the driver) or ‘large bus permits’ for vehicles which are adapted to carry 17 or more passengers. These permits may be granted to organisations that operate vehicles without a view to profit to transport their members, or people whom the organisation exists to help. Section 19 permit vehicles can’t be used to carry members of the general public.
Section 22 Permit
Section 22 permits are issued to bodies concerned for the social and welfare needs of one or more communities. They operate vehicles without a view to profit and use those vehicles to provide a community bus service. Unlike section 19 permit vehicles, community bus services are ‘local bus services’ and can carry the general public. Local bus services are defined as services using public service vehicles for the carriage of passengers by road at separate fares on which passengers may travel for less than 15 miles.
Vehicles adapted to carry 9 or more passengers (excluding the driver) may be used under a community bus permit. This includes large buses adapted to carry 17 or more passengers. The use of a large bus won’t be authorised unless the traffic commissioner is satisfied that there are adequate facilities or arrangements in place to maintain the vehicle in a roadworthy condition.
How many permits do I need?
A permit isn’t specific to one vehicle, so the holder of the permit can transfer it between different vehicles. But a permit can only be used on one vehicle at a time. An organisation can hold more than one permit. An organisation may also hold both section 19 and section 22 permits, but a vehicle must only be used under one type of permit at a time. The correct disc must be displayed in the vehicle to show how it’s being used at the time.