How O-Licence holders coexist with holders of Section 19 permits was long a divisive point for the industry. Interest subsided after a Judicial Review in 2019, but the topic is now prominent again thanks to unions, MPs, and Liz and Steve Fitzgerald, whose daughter died in the M40 minibus crash of 1993.
They want schools to be prevented from operating minibuses under Section 19 permits and forced into the O-Licence regime. Given tiredness concerns found by NASUWT among teachers who have enough to do without driving minibuses as well, that view can be understood.
The O-Licenced landscape is more heavily regulated than the permit sector, although an O-Licence does not guarantee a well-rested driver. By the same token, there is no suggestion that all schools using permits are doing so in any way unsafely.
Shadow local transport minister Simon Lightwood is said to be cautiously supportive of the efforts to move schools’ minibuses towards O-Licences. But if he later takes ministerial responsibility for the sector, there will be many calls on his time.
Will there be enough hours in Mr Lightwood’s day to look at permits? And will colleagues in education make available to schools funding to cover the extra costs of using O-Licences?
Those considerations are what will govern the political attitude to change. At this stage in its existence, the current government will sidestep such a hot potato, and any action will come after the election. As with most things in the age of austerity, resource availability will govern what happens next.
