5. Professional driving lessons

To prepare for your driving test, it is recommended that as a first-time category D learner permit holder you take lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). These will help you develop the additional driving and road safety awareness skills you will need to drive a bus on public roads, including:

the most important skills, knowledge, and behaviours for safe bus driving
the ability to recognise driving behaviours that may endanger other road users
how to become a more competent bus driver
lifelong driving and road awareness skills
practising driving on all types of road (except motorways) and in all types of traffic situations. This should include driving at night.

You can find the nearest RSA Approved Driving Instructor to you here. Choose an instructor that covers category D (bus) or category C and D (truck and bus) to help you get the bus driving training you need.

It also helps if you have a sponsor who can help you practice your driving skills outside your lessons. A sponsor is an experienced driver with a full valid driving licence in category D who has held their licence for at least two years. An ADI can act as your sponsor if a sponsor is not available to you.

Are professional (CPC) minibus driving lessons mandatory?

Are professional (CPC) minibus driving lessons mandatory?

No. You do not have to take minibus driving lessons to get a CPC minibus driving licence. However, the more prepared you are the greater your chances of passing your practical driving test first time. It will also make you a better, safer professional driver.

Before taking your test, it is recommended that as a first-time category D1 (CPC minibus) learner permit holder you take lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). These will help you develop the additional driving and road safety awareness skills you will need to drive a minibus professionally on public roads.

An ADI can advise you on background reading and other material that helps you prepare for what each session covers. They can also remind you of the importance of safe, as well as technically competent driving.

The elements they'll cover include:

the most important skills, knowledge, and behaviours for safe bus driving
the ability to recognise driving behaviours that may endanger other road users
how to become a more competent bus driver
lifelong driving and road awareness skills
practising driving on all types of road (except motorways) and in all types of traffic situations. This should include driving at night.

You can find the nearest RSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to you here. Choose an instructor that covers category D (bus) or category C and D (truck and bus) to help you get the bus training you need.

It also helps if you have a sponsor who can help you practice your driving skills outside your lessons. A sponsor is an experienced driver with a full, valid driving licence in category D1 (CPC minibus) who has held their licence for at least two years. An ADI can act as your sponsor if a sponsor is not available to you.