Community Transport Permits
Section 19 and Section 22 Advice
Section 19 and section 22 not-for profit community transport permits can provide a vital public service to communities. It can however, be very difficult to know whether a passenger transport business is eligible to hold permits, or whether the PSV operator’s licensing regime should apply instead. Our community transport solicitors at Rothera Bray can help you to navigate this difficult area of law.
What are section 19 and 22 permits?
Community transport section 19 and section 22 permits allow certain not-for-profit passenger transport businesses to operate Public Service Vehicles without the need for a PSV operators licence, provided certain conditions are met.
- Section 19 permits can be issued to educational, religious or social welfare organisations, and are limited to carrying passengers from within that organisation.
- Section 22 Permits, or “Community Bus Permits” can be issued to not-for-profit businesses wanting to run a local bus service to meet the social and welfare needs of a community.
Many community transport businesses are registered charities or CICs, but not all.
How we can help
Our specialist transport lawyers can advise you on any aspect of section 19 or section 22 community transport permits. This might include:
- whether your business falls within an exemption from PSV operator licensing (for example the “exclusively non commercial purposes”, “main occupation” or the “short distance” exemptions);
- which type of permit (either s19 or s22) you might be eligible for;
- whether your business meets the definition of “not-for-profit”;
- who can drive your vehicles and what category of drivers licence they require;
- what the training and maintenance obligations are for permit holders
Speak to a community transport lawyer today on 03456 465 465 for a confidential consultation, or you can email transportlaw@rotherabray.co.uk.
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Natalie Abbott
Partner & Head of Employment
Natalie works in our Nottingham office. She is a Partner and Employment Law specialist with over 10 years’ experience representing both businesses and individuals across a range of employment services including settlement agreements, discrimination, dismissals and redundancy.

Anton Balkitis
Partner & Head of Transport
Anton Balkitis leads the Transport Law team and is a nationally recognised Transport and Motoring Law specialist at Nottingham-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors.

Olivia Maginn
Barrister & Senior Associate
Olivia Maginn is a transport and motoring law specialist at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.

Georgina Power
Associate Solicitor
Georgina Power is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Transport team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Chelsey Sewell
Managing Paralegal
Chelsey Sewell is a paralegal in Rothera Bray’s transport and motorist offence department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office in the city centre.

Rebeca Large-Rodriguez
Paralegal
Rebeca Large-Rodriguez is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport and Motorist Offence department and is based at our Lace Market office.

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