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The National Training Team
Did you know that many drivers are now not legally entitled to drive minibuses and could face prosecution if they do so?
For instance: Did you pass your car driving test after January 1997? If so, then you cannot drive many types of minibus currently used in the UK.
Even those people who passed their car test before January 1997 are only allowed to drive minibuses under certain conditions. The rules are complicated and can leave people vulnerable to breaking the law.
Normally, you cannot operate a minibus for ‘hire and reward’ without operating under a special permit or operator’s licence. Again, the rules are complicated and operating a minibus unlawfully can lead to prosecution and fines.
All you need to know is explained in the Driving a minibus leaflet
If you need specialist advice or want free and objective help or support, please contact Jon Walden, our National Training Manager on 0121 702 0824 or email us at training@communitytransport.org
Community Transport has a long history of providing training across the North East, North West and West Midlands. A recent award from the National Lottery has enabled us to develop and expand our programme of high-quality, cost-effective training courses that we offer to our colleagues in the voluntary and statutory sectors. We’re also able to provide our training courses to statutory agencies at highly competitive prices.
Some of our courses can be funded and most are highly subsidised. Jon Walden our National Training Manager has years of experience in accessing funding for training and would be happy to discuss your requirements with you.
Our three training teams are located in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. These locations ensure we can provide national coverage as our trainers work across the county. We will deliver courses either at one of our many projects or at your own premises.
Our Trainers
Our principal trainer in the North West is Stuart Needham. He’s been driving minibuses for the last 4 years and fully understands the anxiety some trainees can feel if they’ve never driven a ’16 seater’ before. Stuart is a qualified MIDAS Driver Assessor Trainer and has gained a City & Guilds certificate for delivering Manual Handling training.
In Newcastle, our principal trainer is Kevin McCabe. Kevin is an Approved Driving Instructor for cars and minibuses, he also runs Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving courses (SAFED). Kevin is also a MiDAS Training Agent who can conduct all aspects of MiDAS training as well as "Training the Trainer". He has had a long and varied training and instructing career with the military and with Community Transport.
In the West Midlands, we have two dedicated trainers. Chris Handley is an ex-driving instructor, ROSPA Gold Grade trainer and NVQ Assessor. Chris’s many years experience driving coaches and training inexperienced and nervous drivers means that he’s able to support and engage with trainees with very different levels of experience. Jason Dilloway joined us from the rail industry and has a wealth of experience designing and delivering training courses to different groups - from apprentices to senior managers. Jason has specific expertise in operational and safety awareness training. In his own words "I enjoy new challenges and learning new skills. I always try to be a patient and supportive trainer"
Our current clients include Leonard Cheshire, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, YMCA, NACRO, Scout Association, Age Concern, Barnardos and Pertemps.

To discuss or book training, contact:
John Griffin
Training Administrator
0121 702 0824
john.griffin@
communitytransport.org
Jon Walden
National Training Manager
0121 702 0824
jon.walden@
communitytransport.org
Stuart Needham
Training Services Manager
Community Transport Oldham
St Mary's Way
Oldham
OL1 3BU
07912 388 218
stuart.needham@
communitytransport.org
Kevin McCabe
Community Transport Training
Unit 1 Mill Lane North
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 6QA
Tel: 0191 2722209
Mobile: 07912 388202
kevin.mccabe@
communitytransport.org
- MiDAS (Minibus Driver Assessment Scheme)
- Customer Care
- D1 Minibus Driver Training Course
- Safe Van Driver
- MiDAS Car and MPV
- Passenger Assistants Training Scheme (PATS)
- Minibus Emergency Evacuation Training
- Health & Safety Level 1 Qualification
- Moving and Handling
- Eco Safe Driving
- Fire Warden Training
- Basic Fire Safety Training
- Paediatric First Aid
- Emergency First Aid
- Emergency Response (CPR)
- First Aid at Work
- First Aid at Work Requalification