Driver Training

What driver training do you provide?

The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) is a nationally-recognised standard, administered by the Community Transport Association, which provides for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. It has been designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote the safer operation of minibuses.

Our in-house, MiDAS-accredited Driver Assessor Trainers provide classroom-based theory training, as well as an on-road driving assessment.

Drivers who will be transporting passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair users, will undertake a further training module, which cover topics including passenger assistance, disability awareness and the use of wheelchair accessible vehicles and equipment.

For further information on the MiDAS scheme, please click here.

Who is the driver training available to?

Our MiDAS training courses are available to those:

• joining our team of employed ECT Charity drivers;
• interested in volunteering to drive an ECT Charity minibus;
• interested in driving a minibus for a local community group or school; and
• working for a neighbouring community transport operator that doesn’t provide their own driver training.

All drivers listed above, whether employed or volunteering, will undergo the same MiDAS training.

What are the requirements for undertaking MIDAS Driver Training?

To be eligible to take our MiDAS training, you must:

• be over 21 years old, and under 70 years old (unless a medical has been passed);
• have held a UK driving licence for over two years;
• not have 6 points or more on your UK driving licence;
• not have any serious motoring convictions for at least 5 years; and
• not have had any driving bans for at least 10 years.

How can I drive for ECT Charity?

If you are interested in becoming one of our employed drivers, please check our job opportunities here. Alternatively, if you would like to become one of our volunteer drivers, please contact us for further information.

In both of these cases, we will provide you with training after you have applied. You do not need to book MiDAS training before applying.

Please note that unless you are able to meet the criteria in the list above, you will not be eligible to undertake our MIDAS training.

I want to be a minibus driver for a local community group, school or community transport organisation. Where and when are your training sessions? How much does it cost, and how can I book?

ECT Charity provides MiDAS training from its depots in Dorset, Cheshire and Ealing, London. Click here for more information on our locations.

For further information on timings and prices, please email us at:

• dorset@ectcharity.co.uk for Dorset;
• ealing@ectcharity.co.uk for Ealing; and
• cheshire@ectcharity.co.uk for Cheshire.

Passenger Assistant Training

What is a Passenger Assistant?

Passenger Assistants are those whose role it is to provide care and assistance to passengers travelling on the road, whether in minibuses, cars, taxis or large buses.

What Passenger Assistant training do you provide?

The Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS) is a nationally-recognised standard, administered by the Community Transport Association, which provides for the training Passenger Assistants.

For further information on the PATS scheme, please click here.

Who is the Passenger Assistant training available to?

We provide PATS training to those:

• joining our team of employed ECT Charity Passenger Assistants;
• those interested in volunteering as an ECT Charity Passenger Assistant; and
• those interested in working as a Passenger Assistant for another organisation.

Our employed Passenger Assistants and volunteer Passenger Assistants both receive the same PATS training.

How can I be a Passenger Assistant for ECT Charity?

If you are interested in becoming one of our employed Passenger Assistants, please check our job opportunities here. Alternatively, if you would like to become one of our volunteer Passenger Assistants, please contact us for further information.