We’re delighted to share a brilliant success from our Cheltenham training programme—congratulations to Zach from Berkhampstead School, who passed his D1 3b driving test this week with only one driving fault! It’s an exceptional result and a testament to his focus, professionalism, and the high standard of training provided.
If you’re looking to gain your D1 licence in Cheltenham, whether for school, community transport, or professional minibus driving, Zach’s achievement shows what’s possible with expert training and commitment.
What Is a D1 Licence—and Who Needs It?
A D1 licence allows you to drive a minibus with:
✔ Up to 16 passenger seats
✔ A maximum length of 8 metres
✔ A trailer up to 750kg (if needed)
It’s the ideal licence for those working in schools, colleges, care homes, private hire transport, and similar organisations. In Zach’s case, it supports safe and qualified student transport as part of his role at Berkhampstead School in Cheltenham.
What Does the D1 3b Test Involve?
The 3b test is the on-road practical driving assessment and includes:
🚐 Control and safe handling of a minibus
🚐 Effective use of mirrors and signals
🚐 Judgement at junctions and roundabouts
🚐 Hazard awareness and forward planning
🚐 10 minutes of independent driving
Zach’s result—only one driving fault—shows just how confident and capable he was behind the wheel. A fantastic performance all-round!
Why Train for Your D1 Licence in Cheltenham?
Cheltenham is ideally suited for driver training. With a blend of town traffic, suburban routes, and nearby access to the A40 and M5, it offers varied road conditions to prepare candidates for real-world minibus driving.
Benefits of D1 training with MT Training in Cheltenham:
✅ Local expertise – Train on the roads where you’ll likely be driving day-to-day
✅ Modern training vehicles – Comfortable, fully compliant minibuses
✅ Experienced instructors – Patient, DVSA-approved trainers who know how to build confidence
✅ Flexible course formats – Ideal for schools, organisations, or individual drivers
✅ First-time pass focus – High success rates thanks to structured preparation and mock tests
Who Is D1 Training For?
If you’re in a role that involves transporting people safely and legally, and your current licence doesn’t include D1 entitlement, this is the route you need to take.
We work with:
✔ Independent and state schools
✔ Sports coaches and outdoor centres
✔ Local authority and SEN drivers
✔ Care and support workers
✔ Private group transport providers
Whether you’re driving pupils, teams, residents, or clients—getting properly trained and licensed is essential.
Thinking About Minibus Training in Cheltenham?
If Zach’s result has inspired you to get your D1 licence, we’d love to help you get started. Whether you’re training as an individual or arranging licences for your staff team, we’ll support you from theory and medical to test day and beyond.
📍 Learn more about our Cheltenham-based training:
🔗 MT Training – D1 Minibus Courses
📞 Contact us today to discuss course availability and pricing, or to book your training.
🎉 Once again, huge congratulations to Zach on a superb result—passing his D1 3b with just one fault. A brilliant achievement for him and Berkhampstead School! 🚐
