Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Community Bus Regulations 1986 by altering the driving licence requirements which must be met by a person driving a bus under a community bus permit. The amendment gives effect to Article 5.4(a) of Council Directive 91/439/EEC (OJ No. L237, 24.8.91, p. 1).

A driver who does not hold a full licence to drive a passenger-carrying vehicle must be 21 or over and hold either a full British driving licence, a full Northern Ireland licence or an equivalent licence issued by a state or territory within the European Economic Area which authorises the driving of motor cars. If, however, he did not hold a full British licence before 1st January 1997, the licence must have been held for at least two years in aggregate.

Other requirements are unchanged.