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If after an accident a minibus is found to be un-roadworthy the driver will be held responsible and it is unlikely that any minibus insurance claim will be approved. For this reason and because it is now a legal requirement, a minibus driver must check the vehicle is safe to drive, even if the minibus has just returned from being serviced. To maintain a minibus' roadworthy-ness and not invalidate your minibus insurance, this article identifies five simple checks that should be made before any journey: 1. Tyres Tread depth must be a minimum of 1.6mm. This is a legal requirement and applies to the entire circumference of the tyre. Most tyres have a wear indicator built into the tread. Look for a horizontal bar of rubber located between the tread patterns, at a depth of 2mm. Ideally minibus tyres should have at least 3mm of tread. Check the condition of the tyre. Look for any unusual bulges or lumps as these are often a sign of internal damage. If there is any cracking or crazing on the side walls of the tyres then they should be replaced rather than risking a blow-out. Ensure the tyres are inflated to the manufacturers recommended pressure, and do not forget to check the spare tyre. 2. Windscreen Check the windscreen for any chips or cracks. Chipped windscreens can be repaired. If not there is a risk that the windscreen will shatter just by going over a bump in the road. Ensure the windscreen wipers are in good working order and their rubber blades have not deteriorated. And keep the windscreen washer fluid topped up, especially in winter. 3. Mirrors Check all the mirrors. Make sure they are clean and have good visibility. If necessary adjust the mirrors to their correct positions. Replace any cracked mirrors at the earliest opportunity. 4. Lights Check all the lights are clean and working correctly. Always carry spare bulbs and fuses in case they are required on the journey. 5. Fuel Check you have enough fuel to get the minibus to its destination. As obvious as this may seem one of the main reasons why roadside recovery is called out to assist a motorist is because a vehicle has run out of fuel". Running out of fuel will not only inconvenience the minibus passengers but may cause damage to the vehicle's engine. These checks are not a substitute for having the minibus serviced by a qualified garage at least once a year. Safety checks must be made on essential items such as brakes, steering and suspension. It is not only your minibus insurance that you are putting at risk if a minibus is not maintained in a roadworthy condition; it is the safety of your passengers and other road users.
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