Turning a Midi-bus into a Minibus?

Question

If you ripped most of the seats out of a Mercedes-benz Vario Midi-bus to leave 8, and then get it re-classed as a minibus, would it be legal to drive it with an ordinary drivers licence at 17 years of age? If not, what is the minimum age to do so?

Answer 1

Not sure how big the "Vario" is, but if it is the one I think it is, it will be based on the 7.5 tonne chassis and as such you will not be able to drive it at 17. The largest vehicle you can legally drive on an EU car licence is "3.5 tonne" - Sprinter or Transit size. You would have to be 21, as you will have to have a "vocational" licence enabling you to carry passengers.