What Is MiDAS?
MiDAS, the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, is a programme developed to enhance the driving and passenger awareness skills of the many thousands of individuals who drive minibuses in the course of their work or as volunteers. The scheme has resulted from a detailed study of minibus driving and a lengthy period of consultation with voluntary and statutory groups which operate minibuses.
With approximately 125,000 minibuses in Great Britain, it is estimated from that those travelling in a minibus are 2-3 times less likely to suffer death and injury than a car passengers.
Whilst minibuses are, therefore, a relatively safe form of passenger transport, all are agreed that the task of minibus driving requires skills over and above those required for driving a car. Drivers also have specific responsibilities to vulnerable passengers such as children and disabled people as well as a ‘DUTY OF CARE’ to take reasonable safety precautions when arranging and providing transport for all passengers.
MiDAS is designed to make appropriate assessments, training and accreditations available to minibus drivers from schools, colleges, universities, health authorities, local authorities and voluntary organisations at a local level.
Objectives of MiDAS
The objectives of MiDAS are that minibus drivers will:-
- Be assessed to ensure their driving skills are of an acceptable standard
- Be given help where necessary to improve their minibus driving skills
- Be aware of the legal, practical and safety issues surrounding minibus driving
- Be trained in the safe use of accessible minibuses where necessary
- Receive a certificate which is accepted by other MiDAS members. A national version of MiDAS is operated by the Community Transport Association and certificates awarded through the national scheme can be used in Hampshire and vice-versa.
What A-Class Driver Training offer
Our instructors are trained to give the following courses:-
- Driver Assessor / Trainers Course (DATs)
- Passenger Assistant trainer (PATs) Course
- Passenger Assistant Course
- "Out in 3" (Fire Evacuation)
Minibus Training D1
If you have passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 you no longer get the entitlement on your driving licence to drive a minibus. A minibus is a small bus comprising of 9-16 passenger seats + 1 driver or over 3.5 tonnes.
If you have passed your test before the 1st January 1997 you have the entitlement on your licence to drive a minibus BUT might have the restriction NOT FOR HIRE OR REWARD so if you are driving a minibus as part of a job where you get paid you will have to take the test (employers please refer to Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007). If you are a volunteer and don’t get paid you are ok, but we would suggest you do the MiDAS course.
What You Need
Before any training take place you will need to have a medical and get the provisional entitlement put on your licence - we can help with this.
The Training
- Module One - Theory
- Module Two - Hazard Perception
- Module Three - Practical Test
- Module Four - Vehicle Safety Questions
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