Kezo…. You are wrong in your assessment regarding “Joe Taxi Driver” and Passenger Assistants appointed by UK local authorities. If it were true that means you and your wife would also become untrained “Joe Taxi Driver” and untrained Passenger Assistant if you done it your way.
Taxi drivers have to pass a knowledge test, BTECH or Level 2 Taxi drivers exam, safe guarding course, wheelchair training and enhanced DBS checks before a licence is given. And even then they can only drive an 8 seater passenger vehicle for Hire and Reward. Every Passenger Assistants and every adult travelling with children also need enhanced DBS checks. PA’s also have ongoing first aid training, British Sign Language training and safe guarding courses among others.
Just to be clear driving a 16 seat minibus for profit requires a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) licence and you must pass a group 2 medical (£100+). You will then need to pass your Module 1 theory test (£50), Module 2 Case Study (£30), and then the bulk of the costs are for your actual training with a 16 hour block costing around £1,000 along with the test fee of £115 (Module 3). Finally the Practical Demonstration Test (CPC Module 4) costs £55.
The CPC qualification (Module 4) which allows you to drive professionally lasts for 5 years only and requires you to undertake 35 hours of periodic CPC training every 5 years. This is the minimum you will need, to earn £60 per child. You would also have to meet the LA regulations, regular VOSA checks at schools, MOT every 6 months including emission testing and the minibus has to be under 10 years old in some counties. You would then have the cost of fuel for picking up 16 children from their home to school in the morning and the same from school to home in the afternoon. Not forgetting your operator’s licence in order to register your vehicle, insurance and and general wear and tear.
The biggest problem you will have even if you meet the above conditions; Is who will pay you the £60 a week for each of the 16 children every term time? The Local Authority don’t work on the basis that 16×60 = £960 a week and at 38 weeks that gives you £36,480 in your pocket.
You will have to register your company with the council (there may be a waiting list) and then you are in competition with other companies for school transport contracts at the lowest price.
I don’t mean to burst your bubble Keza but that in a nutshell, is pretty much with what you are faced with if you want to do it legally and above board. Otherwise we would all be doing it