D1: Safeguarding Community Transport’s future through driver licensing changes 

Community Transport across the UK is facing a serious and growing shortage of qualified minibus drivers, which is already disrupting essential services, restricting innovation and growth and threatening the long-term sustainability of our movement.

The core issue lies in current driver licensing rules. Drivers must hold a minibus (category D1) licence to operate minibuses weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, either by test or for those who acquired a car (category B) licence before 1997.

CTA has five Policy & Research priorities which focus our work as the voice of the Community Transport sector.

1.    Modernising for Growth
2.    Improving Access to Health & Social Care
3.    Investing in Community Solutions
4.    Accelerating Community-Led Climate Action
5.    Delivering a Fair Deal for Volunteers

We believe in evidence-based public policy and in the power of stories to change minds and change lives. 

Whether its personal testimonials or long-term statistical trends, data and insights from the expertise and lived experience of Community Transport operators, passengers, volunteers and supporters enrich our collective understanding of our sector, giving us the evidence we need to secure more funding, shape a new strategy or change the law.

A Better Future for Transport: National Challenges, Community Solutions

We believe everyone should have access to local transport which meets their needs. Do you?

Our Manifesto for the UK General Election – A Better Future for Transport: National Challenges, Community Solutions – calls for a new and dynamic partnership between the UK Government, CTA and the Community Transport sector.

It’s time for #CommunitySolutions to our national challenges:

Rather than accessing MiDAS through an existing provider, you may want to be able to deliver MiDAS yourselves. 

This can be a good option particularly if you have a large number of people requiring training or if you struggle to find an existing provider close to you. It also allows you to deliver MiDAS to other organisations in your area. You can find out more about the steps involved with becoming a MiDAS Driver Assessor below.

Welcome to the CTA’s Community Building Sessions

Running a Community Transport (CT) Organisation is rewarding, offering great chances to support communities and make an impact. We also know it can be isolated and challenging, especially when seeking advice or discussing issues and opportunities.

Our Advice & Support team run monthly Community Building sessions, holding virtual space to bring CT operators and CTA staff together once a month to discuss key topics for the sector.

Like commercial operators, community transport operators must hold a license if they are transporting passengers and receiving payment for their services. 

This requirement applies to the use of any passenger vehicle, including cars, MPVs, and minibuses.

Not-for-profit community transport operators can access S19, S22 or S10B permits which enable you to legally operate your passenger service without having to apply for a commercial PSV Operators licence.  

The CTA team works remotely across the whole of the UK, which means we have many ways to connect with and support our members, partners and stakeholders. 

With community-led groups and organisations delivering transport and wider support services to rural, urban, and island communities across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, we are constantly evaluating and developing creative ways to connect.

We support Community Transport organisations of all different types, shapes and sizes. 

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding CTA membership. Please scroll down for more information. 

If you need to contact our various teams or have a general enquiry, you'll find all the relevant contact details below. 

December Holiday Closure  

CTA will close at 4pm on Friday 19 December and will reopen at 10am on Monday 5 January.

We wish all our members a relaxing festive break, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year!

General enquiries

For all general enquiries please email info@ctauk.org