Q I own a small haulage business and operate a 29-seat
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coach (24ft long) and I have a Class I hgv driving licence and a psv driver's licence, which is restricted to psv not exceeding 27ft 61n. in length but there is no restriction on seating capacity.
I now find that I will shortly have to acquire a 41-45-seat coach, about 32ft long, in place of my 29-seater.
Will I have to sit a driving test before my psv licence will cover the new coach, in spite of the fact that I currently drive maximum length goods vehicles?
A You will need a new psv driving licence and we think it is likely that you will have to take another test.
You should ask your Traffic Commissioners for advice on this point, but it seems likely that they will require you to show that you are capable of driving a longer vehicle and you should understand that there is no connection at all between psv and hgv driving licences. The fact that you have a licence for maximum length goods vehicles does not, in the eyes of the law, have any bearing on your ability to drive a long psv.