The executive Sprinter-style minibus

The Sprinter-style minibus is a step up in comfort for small corporate groups, families and executive airport runs: 8 to 16 passengers, with a luggage area behind the last row of seats.

Car or bus, depending on the seats

With up to eight passengers it is a car, hired as an NCC car with driver. With more seats it becomes a bus: the driver needs a D1 licence, and the vehicle carries a tachograph and follows the EU drivers' hours. Ask for the seat count on the quote, because it decides which rules apply to the day.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class passenger van, front view

Volkswagen Caravelle passenger van, front view

Seats and luggage

Seats: 8-16 passengers plus the driver
Luggage: Rear luggage area behind the last row of seats

Rules and equipment on board

With up to eight passengers it is a car (autovettura) and is hired as an NCC car with driver; with more seats it is a bus and the driver needs category D1
With more than nine seats including the driver it needs a tachograph and follows the EU drivers' hours rules
Italian cities restrict traffic in their historic centres through limited-traffic zones (zone a traffico limitato, ZTL) set by each city council, which may also charge for entry (art. 7 c. 9, Codice della Strada); many cities run separate permit systems for tourist coaches
Road owners can require winter tyres or snow chains on board on given roads and dates by ordinance, shown by road signs (art. 6 c. 4 e)

Getting into the centre

Each Italian city sets its own ZTLs and may charge for entry, and many run separate schemes for tourist coaches. A small vehicle is not automatically exempt. In Milan the Area C charge covers hired buses with more than nine seats, and Florence runs a bus ZTL over its whole built-up area. The operator checks the rules for the exact vehicle and route.

For a board or a client visit, a Sprinter-style minibus keeps everyone together with the luggage, which a pair of cars cannot do. It also means one set-down point to agree instead of two.

Winter and mountain roads

Road owners can require winter tyres or chains on board on given roads and dates, shown by signs; there are no fixed national dates. Groups heading for the Dolomites from Venice, about 2 h 30 min to Cortina d'Ampezzo, or to Sestriere from Turin, about 1 h 55 min, should name the route so the vehicle is equipped.

Questions organisers ask

Is it a good choice for an airport transfer?

For a board, a family or a small team, yes: everyone travels together with the luggage in the back. Larger groups need a midi-coach or a coach.

Does it have a tachograph?

If it has more than nine seats including the driver, yes, and the EU driving and rest limits apply.

How much luggage fits?

The luggage area sits behind the last row. With every seat taken, space is tighter, so list golf bags, instruments or other bulky items on the request.