To safely operate a 15-passenger van, it is important to have a good understanding of how your vehicle handles and follow certain recommendations in order to adapt both your driving and the way you load the vehicle.
The term 15-passenger van refers to large vehicles with 5 rows of seats that can transport 15 or 16 people, including the driver, provided each seat is equipped with a seat belt.
When providing transportation for extracurricular activities, using a minibus designed to carry 12 to 15 passengers and equipped with seat belts or a multifunction school activity bus is also permitted. These vehicles and their drivers are subject to specific rules set out in the Regulation.
Note that transporting school children between school and home using these types of vehicles is strictly prohibited.
For more details, consult the website of the Ministère des Transports.
Fifteen-passenger vans are similar to buses and minibuses, in particular when it comes to how they handle on the road.
Fifteen-passenger vans must always be equipped with quality tires that are inflated to the right pressure and appropriate for the season.
Never allow more passengers than there are seats and seat belts.
You must use child safety seats.
The way a load is distributed can change how a 15-passenger van handles.
Important:
If possible, use 15-passenger vans equipped with an electronic stability control (ESC) system, which reduces the risk of skidding and loss of vehicle control.
This safety system can be found on all 15-passenger vans manufactured since September 2011, as well as on some 15-passenger vans manufactured between 2006 and 2011.
See our Electronic Stability Control System section.
Last update: June 2, 2022