MiDAS
The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme is the standard most community transport operators in the UK use to assess minibus drivers. This page explains what it is and exactly where Community Ride Hub stands.
We cannot deliver MiDAS courses
Community Ride Hub is not a MiDAS accredited training centre. We cannot train, assess or certificate anyone under MiDAS, for our own people or for anyone else. Becoming an accredited centre is an intention, not a current capability. If you need MiDAS training today, contact the Community Transport Association or an existing accredited operator.
What MiDAS is
MiDAS is a national driver assessment and training scheme administered by the Community Transport Association. Rather than being a licence in its own right, it is a way for organisations to demonstrate that the people driving their minibuses have been assessed against a consistent standard by a registered assessor.
It is widely asked for by councils, schools, health commissioners and insurers. Many contracts simply will not be offered to an operator whose drivers are not MiDAS assessed, which is why it sits at the centre of our training plans.
What MiDAS typically covers
- Driver responsibilities, the law around minibus driving and the limits of a driver's entitlement
- Pre-journey walkaround checks, defect reporting and taking a vehicle out of service
- Vehicle handling: size, weight, overhang, reversing, manoeuvring and motorway driving
- Passenger safety: boarding and alighting, seat belts, luggage and behaviour on board
- Emergency procedures, breakdowns, evacuation and first response
- For the accessible variant, use of ramps and tail lifts and correct wheelchair loading and restraint
MiDAS is normally split into a standard minibus element and an accessible minibus element for drivers of vehicles carrying wheelchair users. Certification is time-limited, so drivers are reassessed periodically rather than certified once for life.
How we intend to use MiDAS
- In the short term, drivers who need MiDAS would be assessed through an existing accredited centre or partner operator, with the certificate held on their Community Ride Hub training record.
- In the medium term, we intend to apply for accredited centre status so we can assess our own drivers in our own vehicles, on the routes they actually drive.
- Longer term, we would like to support people through the MiDAS Driver Assessor pathway so the capability sits inside the organisation rather than being bought in.
Common questions
Is MiDAS a legal requirement to drive a minibus?
No. MiDAS is a voluntary scheme, not a legal licence category. Your legal entitlement to drive a minibus comes from your driving licence and the terms your vehicle operates under. MiDAS is how operators, insurers and commissioners satisfy themselves that a driver has been properly assessed.
Can Community Ride Hub assess me for MiDAS?
Not currently. We are not an accredited centre and cannot issue MiDAS certification to anyone.
I already hold a MiDAS certificate. Is that enough to drive for you?
It would count for a great deal, but it would not be the only step. We would still check your licence and entitlement, carry out our own familiarisation in the vehicle you would drive, and complete our induction, safeguarding and DBS process.
When will you become an accredited centre?
We have not set a date, and we would rather say so than publish a target we cannot stand behind. It depends on our operating position, vehicles and having a qualified assessor available.
Downloadable overview
A short PDF for organisations covering what MiDAS includes, our accreditation position, and next steps: Download MiDAS overview (PDF).
Request training
Tell us about a MiDAS or related training need for your organisation.
An enquiry, not a booking
We cannot deliver accredited MiDAS courses today. This form records your interest so we can reply when arrangements are clearer.
Interested in driving with us?
Tell us what you already hold and what you would need, and we will keep you posted as training arrangements firm up.