Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme
New MiDAS courses will be available starting 2nd January 2024.
About MiDAS
What Is MiDAS?
MiDAS is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme organised by the Community Transport Association (CTA) which promotes a nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. It is the gold standard training scheme for minibus drivers in the community transport sector and beyond, ensuring that minibus drivers are able to provide safe, legal and comfortable journeys. MiDAS is a membership-based scheme, with over 5,000 member organisations throughout the UK.
Who Is It Aimed At?
MiDAS is applicable to any organisation operating or using minibuses. Member organisations range from small voluntary organisations operating one vehicle, to local authorities operating large fleets of minibuses as well as schools, colleges, universities, and care homes with charitable status. You and your passengers will be aware that your driving competence has been assessed to a recognised standard.
What MiDAS Offers You
As an employer you will have fulfilled your duty of care to your drivers by giving them a nationally recognised standard of training. It also offers the following benefits:
- Enhanced passenger safety & confidence
- Raised driver & staff awareness of their responsibilities toward their passengers & public
- Potential reduced insurance premiums as many minibus insurance companies recognise the scheme
- Reduced whole life vehicle costs through enhanced ECO driver training
- Single nationally recognised certificates
- Improved public image for organisations, schools & universities
Who Are The Assessors / Trainers?
The instructors have passed the CTA UK MiDAS Driver Assessor/Trainers (DAT) course, and most are approved driving instructors to enable them to train your drivers in best practice for driving your minibuses. They have a wealth of experience & knowledge in their field and are therefore well placed to deal with any issues or questions that may crop up. Where necessary or requested they will provide appropriate advice to ensure compliance.
Is A Minibus Provided?
All practical aspects of the training will be carried out using equipment and vehicles that we have on site. However you can bring your own equipment or vehicles with you so that drivers can be trained with what they are used to.
The MiDAS Courses
MiDAS consists of the following three courses:
- Standard – Core training for anyone who drives a minibus as part of their role.
- Accessible – Additional training for drivers who will be responsible for the transport of disabled passengers.
- Refresher – For drivers who need to renew their certificate.
MiDAS Standard
The standard MiDAS course is delivered in three parts.
1. Online Course and Theory Assessment
The first part involves completing an online course followed by an assessment. The course consists of 90 minutes of interactive and engaging learning covering the legal responsibilities of drivers and important theoretical knowledge. This part is comprised of the following 10 modules:
- Module 1 – Introduction to MiDAS
- Module 2 – The Minibus
- Module 3 – Driver Licensing
- Module 4 – Minibus Driving Tips
- Module 5 – Reversing & Manoeuvring
- Module 6 – The Journey
- Module 7 – Legal Responsibilities
- Module 8 – Breakdown, Collision & Evacuation Procedures
- Module 9 – Theory Assessment
- Module 10 – Next Steps
2. Individual Practical Session
Up to 45 minutes will be spent by driver working individually with a driver assessor. This session will provide the driver with an opportunity to ask any questions they have and is tailored to their needs and ability.
3. Driving Assessment
The driver will be required to complete a driving assessment. This will take up to 45 minutes.
MiDAS Accessible
This course combines classroom-based learning with practical demonstrations and practices which cover the following topics:
- Passenger awareness and assistance.
- Assisting passengers who travel in their wheelchairs.
- Boarding and alighting a vehicle using a passenger lift or ramp.
- Securing passengers seated in wheelchairs using wheelchair tie-down equipment and passenger safety belts.
Drivers will then take theory and practical skills assessments.
The theory part is typically delivered over half a day, additional time will be required for supervised practices and assessments.
MiDAS Refresher
To keep a valid MiDAS certificate, a refresher course must be taken every 4 years. These courses will not begin until late 2027 as all drivers will need to take the new MiDAS Standard course from 2nd January 2024.
Signing Up
1. Register with MiDAS
If you haven’t already, register with MiDAS. This is free and will give you a registration number which we will use to submit the results of any assessments.
2. Contact Us to Book a Course
Complete the form below or contact us another way, to organise Individual Practical Sessions and Driving Assessments for the standard course as well as the theory and practical skills assessment for the Accessible course.
3. Complete the Online Theory Course
Once everything is organised, we will give everyone receiving training access to the online course. The online assessment must be passed before any practical sessions can take place.
4. Attend the In-Person Sessions and Assessments
Drivers will need to attend and complete the arranged Sessions and Assessments in order to earn their certification.
After Completing the Course
Drivers that pass will be issued with a certificate accessible online. They will be able to access the online system at any time to revisit any part of the online course. Notifications will be sent if there are any significant updates they should be aware of. Organisations will be able to view their drivers and see when they will need a refresher course.
