Teachers warned of school minibus driving licence rules

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Schools are facing new restrictions on which teachers can drive school minibuses.

Some are having to hire cars and taxis to fulfil sports fixtures or take field trips as a result.

Principals have been warned by the Education Authority (EA) that some teachers who currently drive minibuses may be doing so illegally.

The EA said the change was due to the Driver and Vehicle Agency clarifying the rules on minibuses.

However, one principal told the BBC the change would have "huge implications" for schools.

'Prosecution and penalties'

Previously, staff who held a licence which qualified them to drive a car would also have been able to drive a school minibus.

However, revised guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) states that teachers must now have a D1 licence and a driver's qualification card to do so.

The EA letter to principals, issued in June, states that if this is not the case there will be serious consequences.

"If this criteria cannot be met, any journey undertaken by staff will not be considered legal and may leave the driver and the employer facing prosecution and penalties," it states.

"It is imperative that the school at all times and you satisfy yourself that the relevant criteria have been met before authorising employees to drive a minibus."

The principal of Lisneal College in Londonderry, Michael Allen, said the new restrictions were having a serious impact.

"No-one at my school currently meets the new criteria," he said.

Transport costs

"I am now having to pay for taxis to take pupils on geography field trips before the end of term.

"A school team was also due to play a cricket match which we were about to cancel until another school, who had a qualified driver, helped us out.

"This change could end up costing my school up to £1,000 before the end of term alone."

In a statement, the EA said it had written to all schools to make them aware that DVA had clarified the licence requirements in relation to minibuses".

"These requirements apply to those employed in schools who drive minibuses."

The DVA has not yet responded to a request for further details.