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12 people

Minibus hire for 12 people

Twelve people fit in one minibus, but no longer in a vehicle for licence B. Anyone who wants to drive needs licence D1; with a driver the whole group sits in the back.

Our advice for 12 people

For twelve people we recommend a minibus with a driver. A vehicle for licence B takes only eight passengers, so without a driver you end up with two vehicles or with someone who holds licence D1. A minibus with sixteen seats keeps four seats free for coats and bags.

Driving yourself with 12 people?

Not on a normal licence. If one of you drives, there are 11 passengers, and licence B covers up to 8. You need licence D1: that is for a vehicle with room for at most 16 passengers and no longer than 8 metres. Without a certificate of professional competence you must be at least 21 for it. If someone from the group drives and it is not paid transport, code 95 is not needed; that is for people who drive professionally. With a driver from a coach company none of you needs to know any of this.

Which licence for how many passengers?

Bup to 8 passengers, up to 3,500 kg

D1up to 16 passengers, up to 8 metresyour group of 12

Dmore than 16 passengers

The driver does not count. It is about the seats in the vehicle, not about who comes along.

What the Flemish government says about the licence

With licence B you may drive a vehicle of at most 3,500 kg that is suitable for at most 8 passengers, not counting the driver.

Source: Flemish government, Which vehicles may I drive with licence B, read on 16 October 2026.

Licence D1 is for a vehicle with room for at most 16 people, not counting the driver, and at most 8 metres long.
Licence D is for a vehicle with room for more than 16 people, or a bus longer than 8 metres.

Source: Flemish government, Which vehicles may I drive with a licence C and D, read on 16 October 2026.

Without a certificate of professional competence the minimum age is 21 for licence D1 and 24 for licence D.

Source: Flemish government, Minimum age for a licence C or D, read on 16 October 2026.

Anyone who carries out commercial transport with a licence C or D needs the certificate of professional competence (code 95 on the licence).
Non-commercial passenger transport is exempt from that requirement.

Source: Flemish government, Professional competence for licence C and D, read on 16 October 2026.

Which coach suits 12 people?

The seats per type, from minibus to double-decker. The type that suits your group stands out. Click a bar for more about that type.

Which size do you choose for 12 people?

The choice with twelve is mainly between comfort and manoeuvrability. A minibus with twelve to sixteen seats gets into every village and every street, and parks where a coach cannot. If you want more legroom or a large luggage space at the back, ask for a minibus with a separate boot or a trailer; that is shown per vehicle in the offer.

Types that fit

Minibus

8–19 people

What does a coach for 12 people cost?

A price without your trip would be a guess for 12 people, so it is not shown here. What you pay mainly depends on four things:

The vehicle. How many seats 12 people need, and what is on board.
The trip. How long the coach is on the road with your 12, how far it drives, and how far the coach company has to travel to reach you.
The day and the time. On a Saturday, a Sunday or public holiday, or at night, our standard rate adds a surcharge.
The month. Our standard rate differs per month: higher in busy months than in quiet ones.

How we work that out is explained on How we calculate.

Compare prices for 12 people

Practical points for 12 people

A group of twelve is typically a group of friends on a city trip, a team driving to a tournament or a family on its way to a party. Agree who is the contact person for the driver and pass on one mobile number. At a wedding or a communion party it helps if the driver knows in advance what time he has to be at the venue.

Low-emission zones and your coach

What to look out for with 12 people

With two vehicles and two drivers you do not travel together: whoever is in the second vehicle misses half the fun, and at every stop someone waits for the others.
If you are going to a sports match with bags or kit, put that in your request. Twelve sports bags take up more space than twelve small rucksacks.
A minibus with a driver also takes you back. Put the return time in your request: how long the driver stays with you counts towards the price.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about a coach for 12 people

Which licence do I need for a minibus with 12 people?

Licence D1. Licence B only covers a vehicle with room for at most eight passengers. For D1 without a certificate of professional competence you must be at least 21.

Does a group of 12 with luggage fit in one minibus?

Usually it does, certainly in a minibus with sixteen seats. For a weekend or a trip with suitcases it is best to ask for a minibus with a separate luggage space; put the number of suitcases in your request.

How far ahead should I book a minibus for 12 people?

For an ordinary Saturday a few weeks, for the communion and wedding season in spring preferably even earlier. Minibuses are in demand because they also drive small school groups and airport transfers.

What does it cost to hire a coach for 12 people?

That depends on your trip: how far and how long, on which day and at what time, and which vehicle fits 12 people. Fill in your route and date, and within a minute you see what coach companies charge for your trip with 12 people.

Written and checked by Martijn Smeets, founder of BusOffer.com. Last updated on 16 October 2026.

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