Oz Scapes

By James Todman

 More drivers in the UK today are using MPV’s and People Carriers. But as the car has 7-8 seats can it be classed as a minibus? The answer is ‘no’.

What is a Minibus?

If it has between 9 to 16 passenger seats then its classification is as a minibus. This has implications for the type of driving licence required and may need specialist minibus insurance.

Do I Have the Correct Licence?

All licences issued after 1 January 1997 need a category D1 classification to allow the driver to use a minibus. The licence can be obtained by passing a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) test provided by the DVLA.

A minibus can be driven on a full category B (car) licence, but the following conditions must to be met:

1. The minibus can only be used in the UK. A D1 licence is required for driving in Europe.

2. The minibus is only used for social reasons. It cannot be hired and there must be no financial reward.

3. Trailers cannot be towed.

4. The driver must to be over 21 and have held a Category B license for more than 2 years. Drivers over the age of 70 will need to prove their medical fitness to drive.

5. The minibus must not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. If it is carrying special equipment for disabled passengers the maximum weight is 4.25 tonnes.

6. Payment cannot be accepted for driving the minibus.

What About Insurance?

Insurance for a minibus, as with any motor vehicle, is required by the law. The minimum level is Third Party cover but this is a very basic policy and you are risking a large bill if something were to happen that required a claim.

The other two types of insurance are Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive. Specific ‘extras’ can be added to the insurance depending on the minibus’s use.

Whatever type of cover you chose it is better to be ’safe than sorry’, especially if there is the extra responsibility of transporting passengers. If the minibus is used by many different drivers then leave a copy of the policy in the vehicle in case it is required after an accident.

Consult a specialist minibus insurance provider. They will be able to advise you about what is needed and find a suitable policy tailored to your specific requirements.

The Directgov website has more information about the UK regulations for driving a minibus and there is a helpful section explaining the difference between the driving licence categories.

James Todman is a freelance Web Content Editor. The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit their website for an online quote.

Tripist
By Jakko Jakko

 Things to remember

You will find many very useful travel guide online, or interactive travel guides that you could carry with you on your PDA or IPod. You could get a video travel guide of the city you want to go to, so that you know where you are at all times. As stated before, make sure you know where you are going, so that you do not waste time, because lets face it, you do not have forever in this country and you want to see all you can. This is why many people are tired when they come back from holiday, because they have to jam pack their days full of activities. Also, remember that if you are going to low lying countries you want to take your mosquito nets, and you do not want to forget your anti malaria drugs. It is also very important that you do not forget your motion sickness medication for the flight if you are prone to motion sickness. The same goes for boat trips if you are planning to go onto the sea for a small trip. There are many thing to do any every country, so do not over do it, plan you day so that you do not feel like you are running around like a chicken with no head, you need to have breathing time, time to eat, and time to relax and actually take in the country around you. Take your time, and never forget to take your language dictionary if your are going to a place where English is a second language.

There are many places to go to, there are many places to see, and if you are looking to go on your next trip to a place you have never been before you will need to do a bit of research. We all know that you cannot just pack up and go; you cannot just get on the first flight you can get and take it to wherever it is going. Traveling is a huge deal, especially if you are traveling to another country, because you cant exactly just turn the plane around to go and get you cell phone because you decided to forget it on your in table. This is why many and most professional will tell you that you need to make up a list for your travels, this list you will have to mark, things to do before I leave, this to take with me on my journey, and things to do when I get there, and then the final part of the list will be labeled, emergency numbers in (whatever city). It is also said that many people forget that different countries have different type of plug points, so it is advisable to research this, and when you land, the first thing you should do is get an adapter for that plug point, so that you equipment will work in this country. Also, it is reported that may people forget their cell phone charges, make sure that you are not one of them.

Jack Marshall is author of this article on London travel guide.

Find more information about Los Angeles travel here.

Find The Best Travel Deals Online For Australia

Popular Year Round Vacation Destinations for Water Sports
By Roger Munns

 Water sports are becoming increasingly popular as family vacations. Boating, parasailing, skiing, surfing and diving are promoted by many of the most popular tourism destinations in the world. Aside from fun water sports and activities, some areas hold competitions with amazing prize possibilities.

The Balearic Island of Majorca holds several sailing and yachting competitions throughout the year, primarily from March to October. The 25th Annual King’s Cup will be held in August 2008. Spain’s King and Prince will be taking part in the competition to help celebrate the 25th anniversary.

The Canary Islands are also popular water sports destinations. The volcanic origin of the Canaries enhances the beauty and appeal. The unusual beauty of the islands doesn’t end where the sand meets the water. Divers quickly learn that there is much more to the Canary Islands than meets the eye.

Boating and Hired Boat Rides

Many forms of boating are enjoyed as a summer vacation all around the world. Sailing is very popular in the Balearic and Canary Islands as well as other destinations. Several favorite tourist destinations offer boating tours as well as glass-bottom boat excursions. Glass-bottom boats are most popular in areas with crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine life. Some areas allow tourists to feed the fish or other marine life.

August is a very busy sailing month in Majorca due to popularity of the King’s Cup. Majorca holds several other sailing competitions throughout the year. Yachting is also very popular, especially during the summer months when the vast majority of tourists plan their vacations. Along with boating usually comes skiing and parasailing.

Parasailing

Parasailing or parascending is increasingly popular among college students and families with teens. The thrill of being lifted into the air high above the waters is an adrenaline rush many in their teens and twenties can’t pass up. Some of the most popular parasailing destinations are the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Menorca, the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, Florida and Puerto Rico. Parasailing associations in different regions of the world govern any rules parasailing enthusiasts must follow in their jurisdiction. Most areas allow 500-1,000ft ascensions while others may allow up to 2,000ft.

Skiing and Jet Skiing

People of all ages enjoy many variations of water skiing including skiing on two skis, one ski, wakeboarding and even barefoot. At any given time during the summer, where there is a large body of water and motor boats, you will probably see skiers. Oftentimes more than one skier will be skimming the surface of the water behind a swiftly moving boat.

Several forms of jet skiing are becoming more popular as well. Jet skis are similar to mountain bikes on water. They are built with a two-stroke or four-stroke engine, depending on how the owner plans to use them. Most jet skis have a small-to-medium sized seat to accommodate one or two people. Stand-up jet skis are available to those who enjoy jet skiing freestyle and doing tricks. They are lighter and more accommodating in terms of jumping or flipping.

Surfing

Tropical islands and coastlines with large, crashing waves wouldn’t be complete without surfboards and surfers. Surfing has grown phenomenally over the years and now envelopes windsurfing, kitesurfing, longboarding and shortboarding. The terms ‘longboarding’ and ’shortboarding’ often refer to the two major subdivisions of surfing. Surfers enjoy the special relationship they say they have with the water and provide non-surfers a thrilling viewing experience as they glide almost effortlessly on the waves. Surf camps in popular tourism areas offer surfing lessons and may be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.

Diving

Many popular tourist destinations around the world offer superb diving opportunities. The Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Florida and Puerto Rico are just a few popular dive areas. Diving opportunities in various tourist areas may include shipwrecks, aircraft wrecks, caves, tunnels and all sorts of marine life. In many areas, to enhance the experience, divers are permitted to feed stingrays and other marine life.

Internet travel site yourmajorca.net offers information about the towns and resorts of Majorca and includes cheap flights to Mallorca

Other Majorca holiday information for tourists includes villa holidays with Meon Villas

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