Help and advice for a new bus venture

[somersetginge]

Hi Im Ginge and Im in Somerset uk, I am a former engineer and welder

I have just been given the chance to run a Routemaster bus as corporate hospitality, the bus has already been converted with the lower decks seats removed and side shelves and bar stools fitted in and a worktop/cuboards/fridge behind the cab, upstairs there is a small office at the front and 4 tables with club seating. this was done a few years ago by a company in Kent called Southerncoach works, since then it has been sat in storage

Some of the questions I need help with are
1 Can I drive this on a car licence, I took my test back in 91 and have already driven 7.5t trucks
2 The company that is doing work on it at the moment want to put a c6 mot on it is this right?as it will never carry passengers
3 Where is the best place to look for insurance
4 Is there any one on here who lives in Somerset and knows the ins and outs of a route master bus
5 Has any one on here tried to do this type of thing before and what should I look out for.

Many thanks
Ginge

[ronaldjefferies]

Hi BUd. If you remove most of the seats and leave 16 in you can drive it on your car license as it would be classed as a minibus. ANy more seats and your into PSV.
If minibus, then mot would be done accordingly.
However, you have to be careful what is on your log book and check your insurance as because of the base model and your carrying fare paying passengers, its quiet likely they will require the proper PSV license and insurance.
I drive a 15ton converted coach but as i have registered it as a private motorhome, I have had to get a class 2 license.
When using PSV vehicles for business that are "adapted", its always wise to get the heads up from DVLA, just to be sure.
Hope that helps a little

[jollyjaunts]

I've had a converted routemaster for nearly 20 years. What number is yours?
Advice above is good. DVLA are getting wise especially if it is any kind of business use. For me its Grey area with the law. Is it a bus (look like one) historic vehicle (free road tax) is it a motor home or an educational/display vehicle (depends who I'm talking to, class 4 plg mot or non at all. So many variabes and the authorities don't care , until there's an accident, then you are in big trouble, insurance invalid will be least of yr worries.
Get a PCV licence. If its been used for business useecident.

[jollyjaunts]

Something went wrong there. What I'm saying is if it is being driven professionally, ie you are being paid, get a pcv or hgv licence...