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School Minibuses from CVM Group

Whether you're a primary school arranging weekly swimming trips or an academy trust coordinating transport across multiple sites, having your own minibus changes everything. No more juggling hire companies and no more cancelled trips because a coach fell through. A school minibus gives you reliable transport for your pupils when you need it.

CVM Group has been helping schools across the UK find the right minibus for over 30 years. We supply 9 to 17 seater minibuses for schools of every size, with flexible options to lease, purchase outright, or take on a contract hire arrangement that suits your budget.

 

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What CVM group can do for your school

We've been doing this for over 30 years, and everything we offer is built around making the process straightforward from your first call through to the day your minibus arrives at the school gates. 

  • Flexible finance that fits how schools budget
    Choose from contract hire with fixed monthly payments, finance lease, or outright purchase using grant funding or capital reserves. We work around your financial cycle, not the other way around.
  • Fully compliant, safety-first vehicles
    Every minibus comes with IVA certification and the built-in safety features you'd expect when transporting children.
  • Bespoke configurations
    Wheelchair accessibility, adaptable seating layouts, and SEN-specific setups built to your requirements rather than off-the-shelf compromises.
  • Diesel and fully electric options
    Our electric minibuses offer up to 263 miles of range on a single charge, more than enough for the school run, fixtures, and day trips without range anxiety.
  • Fast delivery and ongoing support
    Schools can't afford downtime, we prioritise getting your minibus to you quickly and back it up with support for as long as you have the vehicle.
  • A dedicated education account manager
    A single point of contact with over 30 years' experience in the sector, there whenever you need them.
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Designed for Education

Flexible seating layouts to suit your pupil numbers, from smaller groups through to full 17-seat configurations. Ideal for school runs, sports fixtures, and trips.

Accessibility First

Support every passenger with confidence. Choose from wheelchair-accessible layouts accommodating 1 to 4 users, with ramp or lift options available.

Safety and Compliance

Every vehicle is IVA certified and built to meet strict safety standards. Features include M2-tested seating, three-point seatbelts, and speed limiters for added reassurance.

A Simple Process from Start to Finish

4 steps to your perfect school minibus

1. Tell Us Your Requirements
Share your seating, accessibility, and usage needs.

2. Choose Your Configuration
Select from a range of layouts, access options, and features.

3. Select Your Funding Option
We’ll guide you through the most suitable finance or purchase route.

4. Delivery to Your School
Your minibus delivered and ready to use, anywhere in the UK.

Start your configuration here

Choosing your school minibus

We’re not tied to any particular manufacturer and we constantly negotiate the best deals we possibly can, passing those savings on to you.

With a multitude of funding options for your next school minibus, our team of experts is ready and waiting to get your school on the road.

Choose from:

Vauxhall Logo in red.

Vauxhall
Minibuses

(9 – 17 seat arrangements)

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Peugeot logo

Peugeot
Minibuses

(9 - 17 seat arrangements)

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Citroen logo

Citroen
Minibuses

(9 - 17 seat arrangements)

Enquire now
Ford logo

Ford
Minibuses

(9 – 17 seat arrangements)

Enquire now
CVMinibus accessible minibus parked on a road beside a brick viaduct under blue sky.

Optional extras

CVM Minibuses can provide additional options such as:

  • Tow Bars with Electrics
  • Sign Writing
  • Wheelchair Accessibility
  • Internal Luggage Racking
  • Forward Facing Cameras
  • Roof Racks and Ladders
  • Digital Tachograph with Calibration
  • Safety Inspections if required
  • Onsite servicing
  • Internal cameras

All additional options can be costed and included within your first monthly rental.

I want to know more

Minibuses for Schools Built Around What You Actually Need

Every school is different, and so is every minibus requirement. A small village primary needs something very different from a large secondary with a packed fixture list and regular school trips.

Our range of school minibuses includes:

  • 9 seater minibuses that are ideal for smaller groups, SEN transport, or sports teams
  • 12 seater minibuses which are a popular mid-range choice for primary schools
  • 15 and 17 seater minibuses which are the go-to for secondary schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts running larger groups
CVMinibus electric 14-seater minibus parked in a vehicle yard with branding visible.

School Minibus Leasing

Leasing is by far the most popular way for schools to get a minibus, and it's easy to see why. Rather than finding a large lump sum from the budget, school minibus leasing lets you spread the cost into fixed monthly payments, making it far easier to plan your finances.

What's included in a CVM school minibus lease:

  • Fixed monthly payments over 3, 4, or 5 years
  • Full maintenance and servicing packages available
  • Road tax included
  • Breakdown cover
  • A brand-new vehicle with full manufacturer warranty

With a school minibus lease from CVM, there are no surprises. You know exactly what you're paying each month, and we take care of the rest. When the lease ends, you can upgrade to a new vehicle and keep your fleet fresh.

School Minibuses for Sale

If your school prefers to own its minibus outright, we have school minibuses for sale too. Purchasing can make sense if you've secured specific funding such as a grant, PTA fundraising, or a capital budget allocation and want to avoid ongoing monthly commitments.

Minibus Funding for Schools

Funding a school minibus doesn't have to be complicated. Many of the schools we work with use a combination of:

  • Dedicated school transport budgets
  • PTA and parent fundraising campaigns
  • Charitable grants (a number of trusts and foundations specifically fund school minibuses)
  • Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) applications for academies

We're happy to talk through your options and help you find the most cost-effective route to getting your school on the road.

School minibus useful information

Staff members can drive a school minibus on an ordinary car licence provided all of the following conditions are met:

  • They are aged 21 or over
  • They have held their Category B licence for at least two years
  • They are driving on a voluntary basis (not being paid specifically to drive)
  • The minibus does not exceed 3,500 kg (or 4,250 kg if adapted for disabled passengers)
  • No trailer is being towed
  • The vehicle is being used for non-commercial, social purposes

In practice, this means many teachers and teaching assistants can drive a school minibus, but only if the vehicle stays under the weight limit. Since most standard minibuses exceed 3.5 tonnes when loaded, a lightweight minibus is often the practical solution for schools that want to maximise their pool of available drivers.

Staff who passed their car driving test before 1 January 1997 will usually have D1 entitlement already on their licence, allowing them to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats.

Staff who passed after that date will need to take a separate D1 test if the minibus exceeds the weight limit or if the other car-licence conditions aren't met. The D1 test involves a medical, a theory test, and a practical driving assessment.

All school minibuses operated on a not-for-profit basis require a Section 19 Permit, issued by the DVSA. This permit must be displayed on the vehicle at all times.

We can advise you on all aspects of school minibus driving licence requirements and help you choose a vehicle that keeps things as simple as possible for your staff.

Operating a school minibus comes with responsibilities, and staying on top of minibus regulations for schools is essential for the safety of your pupils and the legal protection of your staff.

Key areas of school minibus compliance include:

  • Ensuring every driver holds the correct licence category and meets the age and experience requirements
  • Carrying out daily walk-around checks and keeping up with scheduled servicing and MOTs
  • Having the right minibus insurance for schools in place (we can point you in the right direction)
  • Completing transport risk assessments for school trips

CVM Group can help you understand your obligations and choose a vehicle and package that keeps compliance straightforward.

Getting the right insurance is a critical part of running a school minibus. Standard motor insurance won't cover a minibus used for school transport, so you'll need a specialist policy designed for educational use.

School minibus insurance typically needs to cover:

  • Multiple named drivers (or any-driver policies for larger schools)
  • Pupils as passengers
  • Use for school trips, sporting fixtures, and educational visits
  • Breakdown and recovery

While we don't provide insurance directly, we work with schools every day and can point you towards specialist providers who understand the education sector.

Before taking a school minibus on the road, drivers should complete a basic pre-journey checklist. This is a legal requirement. A typical school minibus checklist covers:

  • Tyre condition and pressure
  • Lights and indicators
  • Windscreen and wipers
  • Mirrors
  • Seatbelts
  • Fuel and fluid levels
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Emergency contact information displayed
  • Section 19 Permit displayed

We can supply a printable daily checklist template with every minibus to make this process quick and easy for your drivers.

Why Choose CVM Group for Your School Minibus?

  • Over 30 years' experience in vehicle leasing and management
  • Specialists in school minibuses
  • Flexible finance with lease, purchase and contract hire options
  • Full range of vehicles from 9 to 17 seats, lightweight and wheelchair accessible options
  • UK wide delivery
  • Ongoing support
Start your enquiry
Team of professionals and technicians standing in front of two white vans in a car park.

Who are CVM group?

CVM Group is a UK minibus specialist built on over 30 years of industry experience. We supply high-quality, fully compliant minibuses to schools and organisations nationwide, with a focus on flexibility, fast delivery and solutions that are designed around how our customers actually operate.

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Driver requirements

Minibus driver requirements can vary, but we make it simple. Whether your drivers are using a standard car licence or require a D1 entitlement, we’ll help you understand exactly what’s needed based on your vehicle and how it will be used, so you can operate with confidence and stay fully compliant.

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What our customers say

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Very simple and easy rental process complete with an online signature/acceptance system so a nice car and an easy booking system - thank you!
The Ford Transit Minibus which was purchase has been driving well with no issues. 5 out of 5
Working with CVM has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we started replacing our fleet, Kev and the team have been absolute rockstars — always ready with expert advice, lightning-fast responses, and solutions that seem impossible until they make them happen. Deadlines? Met. Last-minute changes? Handled. Stress? Gone. Every vehicle is delivered on time, perfectly suited to our needs, and with zero fuss. If you want a company that doesn’t just provide vehicles, but actually understands your business, has your back, and makes the impossible look easy — CVM is the one. Reliable, brilliant, and simply unmatched. We wouldn’t trust anyone else with our fleet.
very welcoming and happy to help.....it was a pleasure to deal with happy professional people that don't do the hard sale but make it an easy ,quick and informative experience ...... i fully recommend using them
Huge thanks to all at CVM for their professionalism, dedication, attention to detail and total patience whilst we altered the artwork on infinite number of times. The minibus looks fabulous and, once we had made our minds up, the turnaround time was swift. Value for money with an efficient and friendly helpful team. Totally recommended.
I came across CVM at the Hampshire Minibus event in July and was impressed with their product and the service they offered. Having carried out a detailed comparison survey including costs, CVM represented the best value for money. This was the first time that Thornden School has leased a minibus and I have to say that the process was uncomplicated and hassle free for me. On top of that, the minibus arrived 2 days ahead of schedule.
I’m pleased to say that my dealings with the CVM Group from start to finish have been impeccable. They have been so helpful along the way and assisted me promptly with each and every one of my queries. From supplying and resupplying budget figures, to advising and facilitating how to obtain a section 19 permit, they couldn’t have been more helpful. And our 2 brand new and branded minibuses look amazing. A big thank you to all the team at CVM!
Dear All, From time to time colleagues ask for recommendations on new minibuses. We have just had fantastic service from CVM Minibuses in Fareham and I strongly recommend them to you. Their graphics team did a fantastic job for us. This recommendation is written totally off my own bat and not at the request of the company.
Many thanks to all at CVM Group. You were so helpful organising our Partnership mini bus for us, and ironed out quiet a major obstacle at the last minute, efficiently and professionally. At each step the communication between CVM and the schools was open and free flowing, ensuring that the schools felt confident and reassured. The finished artwork and look of the bus was just as we imagined, no small feat considering the amount of artwork that the pupils of three primary schools can produce. It must have been quite a challenge. Once again thank you for all your assistance we truly appreciate it.
Brilliant service at CVM Group, Tony was really helpful. I am pleased with the van not had any issues, everything is running how it should be. I can't complain. I'd rate everything a 5 out of 5.
Leasing vehicles is not just about vehicles – it’s about the people who provide you with those vehicles, and the service they can offer. Every leasing company can provide the same vehicle, but not everyone can provide the same level service and care. The service provided by CVM felt personal.; they listened and, It’s all about that ‘plus 1 factor’ that made me make the right decision and lease my 4 new Ford Transit Minibuses from CVM. Thanks for making it easy.
Excellent service and great value for money – CVM are consistently the best supplier in our competitive tendering process.
St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School are delighted to work with CVM. It is vital that schools broaden children's experiences and the service CVM provides enables us to access museums, the theatre and art galleries, sporting events. Without them we would not be able to take the children out of school. I have always been impressed by CVM's professionalism, prompt service and knowledgeable staff.
I am delighted with the new Mini although I think it may take a long time to work out how to use all the gizmos. Thanks again for all your assistance it was a pleasure as it has been in the past.
Tony at CVM Group has been really good to deal with, he's always helpful, knowledgeable and makes the process really easy. We will defiantly continue to use CVM Group in the future.
The service and communication were excellent. 👍

Office Address

Spectrum, 1600 Parkway Solent Business Park, Fareham,
PO15 7AH

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 16:00

Financial Conduct Authority

Complete Vehicle Management Ltd, trading as CVM Group, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Reference Number 682537). We act as a credit broker not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders who may be able to offer you finance facilities for your purchase. We will only introduce you to these lenders. Finance approval is subject to acceptance based on the customer's credit history. We reserve the right to refuse or withdraw finance offers if the customer does not meet the required credit criteria. The decision on whether finance is approved is at the sole discretion of the finance provider, and no guarantee is provided that finance will be granted. We will receive a commission payment from the finance or hire provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. You can request us to disclose the amount of any commission received. You may be able to obtain finance for your purchase from other lenders and you are encouraged to seek alternative quotations. If you would like to know how we handle complaints, please ask for a copy of our complaints handling process. You can also find information about referring a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk. Registered in England & Wales Company no. 03068719; FCA No: 682537; VAT No: 665 0838 17; ICO No: Z7001446. Calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

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