I’m Self Drive Minibus Hire and I make group travel simple across Ottery St Mary and Devon. Ottery St Mary sits on the River Otter and is best known for its medieval St Mary’s Church and the centuries-old Tar Barrels tradition each November, where locals run through the streets carrying flaming barrels — a living piece of local history. The town is a short drive from the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the pebble beaches of Sidmouth and Exmouth, and the dramatic coastline of the Jurassic Coast. Drive a little further and you reach Dartmoor’s granite tors, Exmoor’s moorland and historic Exeter with its cathedral and Roman walls. There are many ways to see these sights, but Ottery St Mary and Devon are especially easy to explore when you take control with self-drive minibus hire.
I regularly help groups visiting Powderham Castle and its riverbank setting, Killerton (National Trust), Bicton Park and the beaches at Sidmouth and Exmouth. For families and school groups, Crealy Theme Park and the Jurassic Coast walks are popular day hire options. Using a self drive vehicle rental lets you move on your timetable between historic houses, nature reserves and coastal towns.
For any group, whether a family or a club, Occasions when people travel together are many and varied. I provide vehicles for:
I cover everything from short term minibus hire for a day trip to long term minibus hire for extended projects. Whether you need a 9 seater minibus hire for a family, a 12 seater minibus hire for a club, a 15 seater minibus hire for a larger wedding party, or 17 seater minibus hire for a sports team, I have options to suit. I also offer mini coach hire and coach hire for very large groups who prefer a professional driver.
If you’re weighing transport options, consider the clear Benefits of choosing self-drive minibus hire over chauffeur-driven vehicles or coach hire: total control of your schedule, lower cost in many cases, and the freedom to stop where and when you like.
When you choose to drive, you set the itinerary. For weddings or a string of coastal stops across Devon, that control matters — you aren’t bound to a driver’s timetable or coach stop points.
Self drive hire is frequently the most affordable minibus rental option for groups who do not need a driver. It reduces per-head cost for parties, hen parties and long weekend trips and brings flexible choices for vehicle sizes and rental durations.
I provide clear information on driver insurance, driver age restrictions and driver license points. All hires require appropriate insurance and drivers who meet our minimum driver age and licence-holding period can opt to drive the minibus themselves. For hires that include payment for carriage (hire with driver), different licence and insurance rules apply.
Below is a quick comparison so you can see how self-drive stacks up against chauffeur-driven minibus hire and coach hire.
| Service | Control & flexibility | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drive minibus hire | High — you drive and choose stops | Usually lowest per-head for small groups | Family trips, weddings, hen/stag weekends, school trips |
| Chauffeur-driven minibus | Medium — driver follows agreed plan | Higher due to driver fee | Events where hosts prefer not to drive (weddings, VIPs) |
| Coach hire | Low — set routes and stops | Cost-effective for very large groups | Large school trips, corporate outings, sports teams |
Weddings are a regular request. I provide tailored wedding transport that keeps guests together and gets them between ceremony and reception without complication. I regularly serve venues across Devon, including historic settings such as Powderham Castle and large estates like Killerton and Bicton Park, and rural hotels closer to Dartmoor and Exmoor. Self-drive minibus hire for wedding transport gives the bridal party and guests a flexible, economical alternative to multiple private cars or a single large coach.
I offer a wide range of hire packages across Ottery St Mary, covering postcodes such as EX11, EX14, EX5, EX9, EX10, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX8 and EX15. Packages include day hire, weekend hire, short term minibus hire and long term minibus hire; vehicles range from compact 9 seater minibuses up to 17 seater minibuses and mini coach hire. Choose affordable minibus rental options or upgrade to luxury minibus hire depending on your budget and event.
If your booking postcode falls in the EX range — for example EX11 near Ottery St Mary or EX4 closer to Exeter — I can usually offer local collection and return options and advise on permits or low-emission zone considerations for city drop-offs.
I’m often asked about driving rules: insurance, driving license requirements and driver license points. Read the FAQs below for clear answers tailored to self-drive minibus hire.
In the UK a standard category B car licence generally permits you to drive vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats. To drive a 16 seater legally you normally need D1 entitlement (or the correct minibus category on your licence). There are exceptional or historical licence entitlements for people who passed their test many years ago; check your driving licence and, if in doubt, contact the DVLA or ask me for guidance before booking. Insurance and hire conditions must also explicitly permit driving larger minibuses.
Yes, you can hire and drive a minibus provided you meet the hire company’s requirements: minimum driver age, a full driving licence held for a required period (commonly two years), acceptable driver license points, and the specific insurance cover that allows you to drive a hired minibus. I will check your licence and confirm driver insurance options when you book.
A 17 seater exceeds the passenger-seat limit for category B licences. Driving a 17 seater typically requires D1 entitlement or a specific qualification. For hires that include a driver, different rules apply; for self-drive 17 seater hires you must hold the correct entitlement and insurance. Always verify your licence before booking.
Costs vary by vehicle size, hire duration and season. Typical day hire rates in the UK might range from around £100–£200 for a 9 seater, £150–£300 for 12–15 seaters, and more for 16–17 seaters or mini coaches. Weekend hire and long term minibus hire often reduce the per-day cost; luxury minibus hire and chauffeur-driven services increase the price. Fuel, mileage, insurance options and VAT also affect the final price. I provide transparent quotes online or by phone so you know exactly what to expect.
Can you drive a 16 seater minibus on a normal licence?
Can I hire and drive a minibus?
Can I drive a 17 seater minibus on a car licence?
How much does it cost to hire a minibus UK?
If you’re planning a wedding, school trip, hen party, stag weekend, airport transfer or a day trip across Ottery St Mary and Devon, I make booking straightforward. Choose from 9 seater minibus hire, 12 seater minibus hire, 15 seater minibus hire, 17 seater minibus hire or mini coach hire. Book online or call me to discuss driver age restrictions, insurance, and the best vehicle for your group. I’ll help you find an affordable minibus rental or luxury minibus hire to suit your needs — get in touch today.
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