PCV Licence Costs: Categories, Tests and Training

What is a PCV licence? Learn the D1, D1E and Category D rules, when Driver CPC may apply, and what to include in a current itemised training quote.

Reviewed 9 October 2026. A PCV (passenger-carrying vehicle) licence is the vocational entitlement for driving buses, coaches and certain minibuses. The right category depends on passenger capacity, vehicle length and any trailer.

What is a PCV licence?

For minibuses, Category D1 covers vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres. Category D covers buses with more than 8 passenger seats. D1E and DE cover the relevant vehicle with a trailer over 750kg, subject to the category limits.

What costs should you plan for?

The total cost depends on the category, training plan, tests and whether you require Initial Driver CPC. Ask for an itemised quote that separates practical training, vehicle use, test fees and any CPC elements. The current DVSA booking fees listed by GOV.UK are £26 for the theory test, £11 for hazard perception, £23 for Driver CPC Part 2 case studies, £40 for Part 3a off-road exercises, £115 for weekday Part 3b on-road driving and £55 for weekday Part 4 practical demonstration. These official fees are separate from training-provider charges and can change.

Professional driving and Driver CPC

Most people who drive a bus or coach as the main part of their job need the full Driver CPC. The official qualification guide explains the first-time route, exemptions and the stages that apply to professional drivers.

Next step

Check your current licence and the category required for the exact vehicle before booking a course. Explore D1 minibus training or contact GS Driver Training for current practical-course information.

Before you compare PCV training quotes

The official test fees above are only one part of the cost. Use this checklist to compare like for like and to make sure the route matches the vehicle you actually need to drive.

1. Confirm the vehicle category and trailer first

Category D1 covers a minibus with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres; D1E is for a D1 vehicle towing a trailer over 750kg, within the combined weight limit. Check the current GOV.UK category definitions against the vehicle and trailer. GS currently provides practical D1 minibus and D1+E minibus-and-trailer training; it does not currently offer a full Category D course. If you need bus or coach entitlement, use the PCV licence guide to check the category before seeking training.

2. Keep the DVLA application and medical separate from the course quote

The provisional bus-licence application itself is free. It uses form D2 and a D4 medical report completed by a doctor; the doctor, optician or medical provider may charge for their part. Read the official provisional-entitlement instructions and recheck the DVSA fee table before booking, as official fees can change.

3. Establish whether your work needs the full Driver CPC

If driving a bus or coach is the main part of your job, GOV.UK says you need the full Driver CPC. Some non-commercial and limited-use situations are exempt, so check the current exemption guidance rather than assuming. For the qualification or periodic-training options that apply to you, see Driver CPC training.

4. Request an itemised route-specific scope

Ask whether the figure separates the assessment and practical training, vehicle use for each test, official test bookings, any Driver CPC element and the D4 medical. Compare the current D1 or D1+E package details before deciding, then contact GS Driver Training with the vehicle, trailer and intended use for current practical-course information.

Read the full article on GS Driver Training Blog.

Main guide for this topic

Complete PCV licence guide — Category D, D1 and D+E entitlement, provisional, medical, test and Driver CPC stages.

More guides in the PCV & Minibus category:

For more information about HGV training courses, call 01252 447808 or visit our courses page.