Where in the case of any council operating a bus undertaking the number of vehicles owned by the council and used or appropriated for use in providing any service for the carriage of passengers by road which requires a PSV operator’s licence does not exceed such number as may be specified by order made by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State may on the application of that council grant to that council an exemption from section 66(1) of this Act for such period and on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit.

Any such exemption shall cease to have effect if any term or condition applicable to it is contravened.

Where a council operating a bus undertaking is in possession of a vehicle under an agreement for hire, hire-purchase, conditional sale or loan, that vehicle shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (1) above as owned by the council.