The idea for M.D.A. was created by its founders after they identified a shortfall in schools, colleges' and universities ability to utilise teaching staff to drive large vehicles such as minibuses.
B-Category licence holders (car drivers who passed their car driving test after January 1997) are currently allowed to drive a minibus for schools, colleges and other none profit organisations as long as they meet certain criteria such as being over 21, held a full drivers licence for two or more years, are driving on a voluntary basis etc.
Schools tend to have minibuses or people carriers and - since January 1997 - driving licence requirements have restricted and can restrict your pool of drivers which would mean some of the schools losing the ability to provide extra or enhanced curricular activities. In addition, there is a requirement to ensure that teaching staff had the necessary skills to carry out vehicle checks before driving.
M.D.A. Ltd can provide a nationally recognised standard of minibus driver training that covers vehicle checks, passenger seat removal and even wheelchair and occupant restraint use. Delivering this training to teaching staff meets your schools and colleges’ “duty of care” needs. This formal training also gives teachers a nationally recognised standard of certificated skills, enhancing their confidence to drive your schools’ or colleges’ vehicles.
All training was designed and is managed by the Community Transport Association (C.T.A.), with the main course undertaken being called M.i.D.A.S, Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme.
The MiDAS scheme has been running for nearly 20 years now and is a tried and tested form of formally recognised minibus driver training. MiDAS is managed by the C.T.A on behalf of the Hampshire County Council and is accepted at thousands of establishments such as schools, day centres, colleges, universities, volunteer groups, scouts and sea cadets.