MiDAS Training

MiDAS is the gold standard Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme for enhancing the safety and care of passengers. The scheme is led by the Community Transport Association, and it provides a nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of drivers to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to provide safe, legal and comfortable journeys to passengers.

Safe
Drivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to put passenger safety at the centre of every journey.

Legal
Drivers learn the legal responsibilities of providing passenger transport, ensuring that their journeys are compliant.

Comfortable
Drivers understand how their actions impact the experience of passengers, ensuring passenger journeys are accessible, inclusive and comfortable.

In order to take part in any MiDAS course, drivers must be legally entitled to drive a minibus. You should ensure that you understand the requirements before organising a course. A Driver Assessor will also check the driver’s licence and the vehicle being used before an assessment. A MiDAS certificate does not change a driver’s legal entitlement to drive a minibus.

If you passed your car driving test before 1st January 1997 and hold a D1 (101) driving licence entitlement, you can undertake a MiDAS course.

If you passed your car driving test after 1st January 1997 and hold a category B (car) licence only (No automatic D1 entitlement) you can drive a minibus (and therefore undertake MiDAS) if all conditions below are met:

• You are aged 21 or over and have held a full category B licence for at least 2 years.
• You receive no payment or other consideration for driving other than out-of-pocket expenses.
• The vehicle has a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3500Kg (up to 4250Kg if “accessible.”)
• No trailer is being towed.
• Automatic transmission licence = automatic minibus only.

Drivers aged 70 or over must meet PCV medical standards. Upon reaching 70 (and every 3 years thereafter) drivers with a D1(101) must complete a medical and apply to retain their entitlement.

Community First will organise access to the online theory course. This is an interactive and engaging e-Learning course, covering the legal responsibilities of drivers and the essential theoretical knowledge needed to provide safe, legal and comfortable journeys. Learners will receive an email from training@ctauk.org with a link to create an account and access the theory course. Learners can go through the modules at their own pace. The modules do not have to all be completed in one go. At the end, there is a theory assessment. This involves 20 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 80% (16/20). Drivers have 3 attempts to pass a theory assessment. If a driver does not pass after 3 attempts, please contact your MiDAS Instructor / Driver Assessor about next steps. The theory test must be completed at least 48 hours before the practical assessment.