Transport Act 1985

19 [F1Permits in relation to use of public service vehicles by educational and other bodies]E+W+S

(1)In this section and sections 20 and 21 of this Act—

• “bus” means a vehicle which is adapted to carry more than eight passengers;

• [F2“exempt body” has the same meaning as in section 18 of this Act;]

• “large bus” means a vehicle which is adapted to carry more than sixteen passengers;

• “small bus” means a vehicle which is adapted to carry more than eight but not more than sixteen passengers; and

• “permit” means a permit granted [F3to an exempt body] under this section in relation to the use of [F4a public service vehicle] for carrying passengers for hire or reward.

(2)The requirements that must be met in relation to the use of [F5a public service vehicle] under a permit for the exemption under [F6section 18(1)(a)] of this Act to apply are that [F7the vehicle]—

(a)is being used by [F8an exempt body] to whom a permit has been granted under this section;

(b)is not being used for the carriage of members of the general public nor with a view to profit nor incidentally to an activity which is itself carried on with a view to profit;

(c)is being used in every respect in accordance with any conditions attached to the permit; and

(d)is not being used in contravention of any provision of regulations made under section 21 of this Act.

(3)A permit in relation to the use of [F9a public service vehicle other than a large bus] may be granted by [F10an exempt body] designated by an order under subsection (7) below either to itself or to any [F11other exempt body] to whom, in accordance with the order, it is entitled to grant a permit.

(4)A permit in relation to the use of [F12a public service vehicle other than a large bus] may be granted by a traffic commissioner to [F13any exempt body] appearing to him to be eligible in accordance with subsection (8) below and to be carrying on F14... an activity which makes it so eligible.

(5)A permit in relation to the use of a large bus may be granted by a traffic commissioner to [F15any exempt body] which assists and co-ordinates the activities of bodies F16... which appear to him to be concerned with—

(a)education;

(b)religion;

(c)social welfare; or

(d)other activities of benefit to the community.

(6)A traffic commissioner shall not grant a permit in relation to the use of a large bus unless satisfied that there will be adequate facilities or arrangements for maintaining any bus used under the permit in a fit and serviceable condition.

(7)The Secretary of State may by order designate for the purpose of this section [F17exempt bodies] appearing to him to be eligible in accordance with subsection (8) below and, with respect to [F18any exempt body] designated by it, any such order—

(a)shall specify the [F19classes of exempt body] to whom the designated body may grant permits;

(b)may impose restrictions with respect to the grant of permits by the designated body and, in particular, may provide that no permit may be granted, either generally or in such cases as may be specified in the order, unless there are attached to the permit such conditions as may be so specified; and

(c)may require [F20the designated body] to make returns [F21and keep records] with regard to the permits granted [F22, varied or revoked] by it.

(8)[F23An exempt body] is eligible in accordance with this subsection if it is concerned with—

(a)education;

(b)religion;

(c)social welfare;

(d)recreation; or

(e)other activities of benefit to the community.

(9)[F24An exempt body] may hold more than one permit but may not use more than one [F25vehicle] at any one time under the same permit.