Transport & Logistics

Run a bus or coach business: licensing and compliance

If you run local bus services, scheduled routes or coach and charter operations, you need a public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence from the Traffic Commissioner, your drivers need the Driver CPC, your vehicles must meet accessibility standards, and local bus services must be registered. This guide covers the regimes specific to passenger road transport, on top of the universal workplace duties in the spine guide.

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This guide is for businesses that carry passengers by road — local and scheduled bus services, and coach or charter operations. You run these vehicles under a public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence and a set of passenger-specific duties on accessibility, driver qualifications and drivers' hours. The universal workplace duties (health and safety, insurance, equality and data protection) are in Set up and run a safe land transport operation — start there, then work through the regimes below.

The Traffic Commissioner regime applies in Great Britain. If you operate in Northern Ireland, passenger transport licensing is administered separately — check the Northern Ireland position before you begin.

A. PSV operator licence

You need a PSV operator licence from the Traffic Commissioner to run local bus services or coach and charter work. A Standard National licence covers GB operations; a Standard International licence is required for cross-border coach services; a restricted licence is for operators running PSVs as a sideline to their main business. Standard licences require a qualified transport manager and proof of financial standing and good repute. Much not-for-profit community transport runs instead on section 19 or section 22 permits rather than a PSV operator licence — check which route applies to you.

B. Registering local bus services

If you run a local bus service, the service must be registered with the Traffic Commissioner, with notice given before you start, change or cancel a service. Local transport authorities may also run enhanced partnership or franchising arrangements under the Bus Services Act 2017 that affect how you register and operate.

C. Vehicle accessibility (PSVAR)

Buses and coaches used on local and scheduled services must meet the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 — wheelchair spaces, priority seating, low-floor or boarding access, and audible and visible information where required. The duty rests on the accessibility provisions consolidated in the Equality Act 2010, and the DVSA enforces.

D. Drivers: Driver CPC, licences and hours

Bus and coach drivers need the correct category licence and the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), maintained by 35 hours of periodic training every five years. PSVs are subject to drivers' hours rules and tachograph recording. The shared guidance below applies to passenger drivers as well as goods drivers.

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    What to do next

    Confirm the universal duties in the spine guide are in place, then complete the land transport compliance checklist for the passenger-road items.

Official sources

Authoritative guidance for bus and coach operators.