MiDAS, (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme), is a programme developed to enhance the driver and passenger awareness skills of many thousands of individuals who drive minibuses in the course of their work or as volunteers. With approximately 125,000 minibuses in Great Britain, it is estimated that those travelling in a minibus are 2-3 times less likely to suffer death and injury than car passengers.

Whilst minibuses are therefore a relatively safe form of passenger transport, all are agreed that the task of driving a minibus requires skills over and above those required for driving a car. Drivers also have specific responsibilities to vulnerable passengers such as children and disabled people as well as a ‘duty of care’ to take reasonable safety precautions when arranging and providing transport for all passengers.

MiDAS is designed to make appropriate assessment training and accreditation available to minibus drivers from schools, colleges, universities, health authorities, local authorities and voluntary organisations at a local level.

Objectives

• Be assessed to ensure their driving skills are of an acceptable standard
• Be given help where necessary to improve their minibus driving skills
• Be aware of the legal, practical and safety issues surrounding minibus driving
• Be trained in the safe use of accessible minibuses where necessary
• Receive a certificate which is accepted by other MiDAS members. A national version of MiDAS is operated by the Community Transport Association and certificates awarded through the national scheme can be used in Hampshire and vice-versa.

The course is over two days, with assessments to judge competencies.

If you would like to book this course, then please use our online booking enquiry form.