Minibuses are great for transporting a group of friends, family, or a sports team. They seat up between 9 and 16 passengers not including the driver and provide a great way of getting small groups of people from A to B.
To drive a minibus in the UK you must own a driving licence with a D1 entitlement. These used to be issued onto licenses automatically but in 1997 the conditions changed:
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency states that any drivers with licences issued before 1997 can drive a minibus of up to 17 passengers (including the driver) providing it is not for hire or payment if they are over 21 years of age.

If your licence does not include a D1 entitlement then you are still permitted to drive a minibus under certain conditions.
You are allowed to drive a minibus with up to 16 passengers if:
i) you drive on behalf of a non commercial body for social purposes but not for hire or payment, unless operating under a permit;
ii) you are aged 21and over;
 iii) you have possessed a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years;
iv) you are providing your service on a voluntary basis;
v) the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes excluding any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers. Minibuses up to 4.25 tonnes will be permitted in certain circumstances.
vi) if you are 70 years old and over, you are able to meet the health requirements for driving a vehicle (i.e. minibus) which comes within the D1 class;

If you meet these requirements there are two further rules you must act in accordance with:

• you may not receive any payment
• you must not tow a trailer (of any size).