Frequently Asked Questions

Training - MiDAS

• What is MiDAS?

  MiDAS is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, organised by the Community Transport Association U.K. (CTA) which promotes a nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. It is a membership based scheme that has been designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote the safer operation of minibuses. The scheme is owned by Hampshire County Council and they run they own MiDAS scheme within the county of Hampshire. If you are looking for MiDAS training within Hampshire you will need to contact Hampshire County Council’s Passenger Transport Group.

• Who is MiDAS aimed at?

  MiDAS is applicable to any organisation operating or using minibuses. Member organisations range from small voluntary organisations operating one vehicle, to local authorities operating large fleets of minibuses as well as schools, colleges and universities.

• How does MiDAS work?

  MiDAS operates on a “cascade” approach. CTA has appointed a number of training agents, who provide training for minibus Driver Assessor/Trainers (DAT’s) nominated from member organisations.

  A DAT can then assess the competence of minibus drivers, and provide them with training on how to safely use a minibus.

• How long will my MiDAS certificate last for?

  A Driver Assessor Trainer’s certificate lasts for two years after which you will need to attend a refresher course. A driver’s certificate lasts for four years after which which you will need to attend a refresher course.

  Please note that there is some confusion regarding a ‘three month grace period’, there is no grace period after a certificate expires and drivers and driver assessor trainers (DATs) will need ensure that they have either attended a refresher course before their expiry date or applied for an extension. If you do not apply for an extension before your certificate expires you may need to attend a full induction course in order to continue to hold a current MiDAS certificate.

• Is MiDAS a legal entitlement?

  Completing a MiDAS assessment does not give a driver an additional legal entitlement on their driving license. MiDAS is a good practise scheme which allows drivers who already have the legal requirement on their driving license an opportunity to be assessed to drive a minibus to a national standard.

• How can I organise MiDAS training for me or my drivers?

  To organise MiDAS training for yourself or your drivers you will need to register as a member of the MiDAS training scheme and contact a Driver Assesor Trainer. You can do both on our ‘Do you want MiDAS Training’ page.

  Each Driver Assessor Trainer charges their own price so we would therefore recommend that you contact more than one from the list for the best price and dates to suit your organisation. If you are based in Hampshire you will need to contact Hampshire County Council’s Passenger Transport Group to arrange training for your organisation.

• How do I become a Driver Assessor Trainer?

  If you are interested in becoming a Driver Assessor Trainer (DAT) or appointing a DAT from within your organisation please read the pre-course information for DATs which gives an outline of what is expected from someone in the DAT role.

  You can contact any of the Training Agents on our list for DAT training; each training agent charges their own price, we would therefore recommend that you contact more than one from the list for the best price and dates to suit your organisation. If you are based in Hampshire and are looking to become a DAT you will need to contact Hampshire County Council’s Passenger Transport Group.

• Do I need to be MiDAS registered?

  MiDAS is a membership scheme where every organisation who interacts with the training programme, regardless of which point in the cascade, needs to become MiDAS registered. MiDAS registration is free and you only need to fill out a short form online to be issued with a MiDAS registration number. As part of the MiDAS registration process the organisation agrees to sign up to the MiDAS commitment which includes a commitment to things like ensuring all your drivers receive MiDAS training and recognising the MiDAS certificates of drivers from other MiDAS registered organisations. The registration number is unique to your organisation and should be quoted whenever you contact the CTA, on resource order forms and certificates. CTA use the unique registration number to ensure that training records are allocated to the correct organisation. If you are a DAT delivering training you must ensure that every organisation you deliver training to has their own registration number.

• How much does MiDAS training cost?

  MiDAS trainers charge their own prices which is why we would always recommend that you contact more than one trainer so that you get the best price for your organisation. Prices can vary depending on the number of staff members you have attending and your location.

• What training will I receive when I attend a driver training course?

  A standard driver’s course should last four hours; during the course you should receive classroom training on a number of topics including the role of the driver.  You will also receive an assessment of your driving skills, the Driver Assessor Trainer (DAT) delivering the course will do a demonstration drive which will demonstrate to you the standard of driving MiDAS expects. You will also receive a theory paper to check your understanding of the topics delivered.

  If you attend the additional accessible module this training will last a minimum of four hours, where you will receive classroom training, a practical skills assessment where you will be assessed on your ability to use a passenger lift or ramp and secure a wheelchair user in a minibus and practical demonstrations on how to assist passengers who have walking difficulties, and have a sight or hearing loss. You will also answer additional theory paper questions to check your understanding of the topics delivered.

• What training will I receive when I attend a DAT course?

  A standard DAT course should last three days; during the course you should receive classroom training on a number of topics including the role of the DAT.  You will also receive an assessment of your driving skills and an assessment of your ability to assess others to a national standard. The training agent delivering the course will do a demonstration drive which will demonstrate to you the standard of driving MiDAS expects. You will also receive a presentation assessment where you will be asked to deliver a short presentation on a MiDAS topic and a theory paper to check your understanding of the topics delivered.

  If you attend the additional accessible module this training will last a minimum of one day, where you will receive classroom training, a practical skills assessment where you will be assessed on your ability to use a passenger lift or ramp and secure a wheelchair user in a minibus and practical demonstrations on how to assist passengers who have walking difficulties, and have a sight or hearing loss. You will receive an assessment of your ability to assess others to a national standard.

• How can I apply for a certificate extension?

  We would advise that you attend refresher training before your certificate expires. If you aren’t able to attend your refresher training before your certificate expires in certain circumstances CTA will issue a certificate extension. In most circumstances an extension will not be issued for more than a three month period and you will need to have a date pencilled in with a trainer before you apply for an extension. You can apply for an extension here and applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

  Please note that there is some confusion regarding a ‘three month grace period’, there is no grace period after a certificate expires and drivers and driver assessor trainers (DATs) will need ensure that they have either attended a refresher course before their expiry date or applied for an extension. If you do not apply for an extension before your certificate expires you may need to attend a full induction course in order to continue to hold a current MiDAS certificate.

• What do I do if I am not happy with the training I have received?

  If you are concerned about the training which you have received or the trainer who delivered your course, please get in contact with the CTA here. Any reports of substandard training will be taken very seriously and investigated fully.

• How do I find my organisations MiDAS registration number?

  Your MiDAS registration number is a unique number which is allocated to you when your organisation registered. If you have misplaced your number you can contact the CTA’s central support office on 0161 351 1475 or training@ctauk.org

• What is my DAT ID number?

  Your MiDAS registration number is a unique number which is allocated to you when your organisation registered. If you have misplaced your number you can contact the CTA’s central support office on 0161 351 1475 or training@ctauk.org

• MiDAS Transformation

  At the beginning of 2022, CTA began working in partnership with Hampshire County Council (The original developers of MiDAS) and Motability (a national charity with the purpose of enhancing the lives of disabled people with transportation solutions and charitable grant programmes) to transform the MiDAS offering. We are working with a team of training design experts to ensure MiDAS offers up-to-date, flexible, responsive, and passenger-focused training, retaining all the strengths of the existing training programme while ensuring it is fit for the future by using the most up to date tools and technology.

  MiDAS Minibus training will be relaunching in January 2024. In the meantime, anyone requiring training should train as normal – all valid certificates will be unaffected by any future changes and Purple Round 3 will be extended to 31^st December 2023. If you have any questions, please email training@ctauk.org, and we will happily answer them.