Once your licence has been checked and approved by our Student Activities and Development team. There are two parts to becoming an approved union driver, a theory and a practical test. All Union Approved Drivers have to have passed this induction for insurance purposes, and to ensure that you can safely operate the union vehicles.
You will receive confirmation emails as you complete our licence and driving checks. You can track your status progress through our driver approval process.
Theory Test
You must complete the Theory test before you undertake your Practical test. The theoretical test involves familiarizing yourself with the training materials, related to minibuses, in the training hub and then answering a set of multiple choice questions on eActivities. The questions are taken from sample DSA minibus theory test questions and the information in this and can be completed “open book” style.
All the relevant information to pass your theory test can be found here Minibus Theory Information .pptx
Practical Test
The practical part of the induction needs to be booked in advance. This must be done online via the Union shop, the cost for this scheduled session is £30 (Exclusive of VAT).
Buy a Minibus Test Credit here
The website may not display any available dates, or display dates which are “out of stock”. This means that there are no sessions currently scheduled, or in case of the latter, that these sessions are full.
The Practical test involves familiarisation with the minibuses, including learning how to do the routine checks before setting off on your trip. This is followed by a drive around the local area. In particular, the assessor will be checking to see that you drive safely, can manage the length of the vehicle and are generally competent with operating the minibuses.
What happens if you don't pass the practical?
If you are not up to the required standard during your practical assessment, you will have the chance to re-test at no extra cost, Please contact our activities@ic.ac.uk inbox to book on to the next available test. If you fail a second time, you will have to purchase a separate test credit and go through the process again.
Please note that the minibuses are all manual vehicles, and you should only attempt the minibus assessment if you are comfortable driving using a manual gearbox. .
What to bring to your practical test
On the day, please arrive promptly at the Union Help Desk on the ground floor of the main Union Building in Beit Quad. Remember, the staff are not able to wait for you if you are late!
When you come to the practical part of your introduction please remember to bring the following:
- Your driving licence (if you have the new style UK licence this includes the paper section as well as the plastic card as BOTH parts need to be seen)
- A completed Union Approved Driver Form.
- A DVLA Check Code (for UK Drivers only)
- Proof of your Minibus Test Credit purchase
Once you have passed the Theory and Practical tests, you will be granted approval to drive minibuses for three years. After this period you will have to go through the process again.