Most community transport organisations operate under a Section 19 or Section 22 permit rather than a full PSV operator's licence. This lets you carry passengers for a fare, provided the service isn't run for profit. We can advise on the vehicle specification for your permit type, but for the permit application itself we'd recommend checking with your local licensing authority or the Community Transport Association.

Often, yes. Drivers can drive a minibus on a standard car licence (category B) if all of these apply:

• they're 21 or over and have held their car licence for at least 2 years
• they're driving voluntarily, not being paid specifically to drive
• the minibus weighs no more than 3,500 kg (4,250 kg if it's adapted for disabled passengers)
• they're not towing a trailer
• the minibus is used for non-commercial, social purposes

Most standard minibuses go over 3.5 tonnes, so a lightweight build is often the practical answer. Our Flexilite builds, including the 17-seat CVMinibus, are designed to be driven on a car licence (B) by eligible drivers. Tell us about your volunteers and we'll point you to the right minibus. Driving a minibus (GOV.UK)

Yes. We supply minibuses with ramps, tail lifts and flexible seating layouts for mixed ambulant and wheelchair-using passengers, which is often essential for community transport and day centre services. See our accessible minibuses.

Buying means you own the vehicle, which suits organisations that have secured a capital grant earmarked for a vehicle purchase. Leasing (contract hire) spreads the cost into a fixed monthly payment, with maintenance and servicing available to add, and suits charities whose income comes from a mix of grants, fundraising and fares rather than one lump sum. We can talk you through both against your funding position.

Yes. Many funders, from local authority BSIP-funded schemes to the Motability Foundation and EV grant funds, need a costed supplier quote on headed paper before they'll assess an application. We can provide one at no cost, before any funding decision is made.

Our 14-seat electric minibus covers up to 263 miles on a charge (Vauxhall's figure), which suits local, stop-start community transport routes, and it costs less to run day to day than diesel. Charging needs depend on your journey lengths and depot set-up, so we'll talk through your actual routes before recommending it.

Yes. Under a contract hire agreement you can add servicing, maintenance and MOTs to your fixed monthly payment, so there are no surprise bills partway through the year. It isn't included as standard. If you buy the vehicle, maintenance is arranged separately, and we're happy to advise on that too.

It depends on your charity's VAT status and how the vehicle will be used. VAT relief may be available on some minibuses for charities if you can supply the right documents. Check with your accountant or HMRC first; we can provide the figures you need for that conversation, but we can't give VAT advice ourselves.

That's a very normal position to be in. Talk it through with our team, with no obligation. It often helps to have the vehicle and funding conversation at the same time rather than one after the other.