Vehicle insurance and regulations

University of Reading Certificate of Motor Insurance

Please note

• Driving your own vehicle on the business of the University is not covered under the University Motor Insurance
• You should check with your own insurance provider that you have cover for business use
• The University provides comprehensive motor insurance for its own and hires in vehicles

The rules around claiming expenses for driving your own car on the business of the University of Reading can be found in Chapter 4 of the University Expenses and Hospitality Policy (PDF-596KB)

Vehicle hire insurance

Under our new insurance arrangements for motor insurance, hired vehicles are covered at no charge.

Driver regulations

Anyone with a valid UK driving licence may drive University vehicles or hired in vehicles on University business as allowed by their licence within the conditions of UK law. The only exception to this rule is the driving of Minibuses on University business. For the University's rules governing the driving of minibuses please see the .

The University's motor insurance does not apply to anyone driving their own vehicle on university business.

Please contact your own Motor Insurance Provider to ensure you are covered to use your own vehicle for business travel.

If you hold a drivers licence which was issued abroad you should visit the Advice Guide website for the current law on driving in the UK. 

Minibus regulations

If you hire and/or drive a minibus on behalf of the University please read the following guides:

• Driving a minibus on behalf of the University (PDF - 119KB)
• General driving information and minbus driving technique, including 'Minibus driver checklist' (PDF - 136KB)
• Minibus driver checklist (PDF -118KB)

Please note

If you hire a minibus on the business of the University, you must display a "Section 19 Minibus Permit" (also known as a "Small Bus Permit"). Email permits@otc.gov.uk to obtain a permit.

The Health and Safety Committee requires all drivers of all minibuses to have a category D1 driving licence, and not to rely on a legal exemption for drivers of smaller minibuses which could be driven on a car licence. The existence of the exemption was causing confusion, which could lead people to drive who were not legally entitled to do so. It was reported that all Schools likely to be impacted by this change had been consulted informally and most had already accepted that their drivers should have D1 licence and associated training.

Driving for work policy

Please click here for more information on our driving for work policy.