Braking Systems & Vehicle Handling

How should you normally use the brakes when carrying passengers, especially those standing?

• ABrake early and progressively so the stop is smooth and controlled✓
• BBrake firmly at the last moment to keep the journey time as short as possible
• CUse the gears alone and avoid the footbrake to save wear on the pads
• DPump the brake pedal quickly on and off to keep the passengers alert

Answer: Smooth, progressive braking begun in good time keeps passengers, particularly those standing, safe and comfortable and keeps the vehicle under control. Harsh, last-moment or on-off braking can cause falls and loss of control.

What is the main purpose of a retarder or endurance brake on a coach?

• ATo bring the coach to a complete stop faster in an emergency situation
• BTo hold the coach still when it is parked on a steep slope overnight
• CTo slow the vehicle on long descents without overheating the main brakes✓
• DTo replace the need to check the main braking system before each journey you make

Answer: A retarder or endurance brake helps control speed on long downhill gradients so the main service brakes do not overheat and fade. It is not an emergency stop device, a parking brake or a substitute for brake checks.

You are driving down a long, steep hill in a fully laden coach. What is the safest technique?

• ACoast in neutral to save fuel and rely on the footbrake throughout the descent
• BSelect a lower gear before the descent and use the brakes to control speed✓
• CStay in a high gear and hold the footbrake down firmly for the whole of the descent
• DSwitch off the engine at the top and freewheel down the gradient

Answer: Choosing a lower gear before the hill lets engine braking help control your speed, so the brakes are not overworked, and any retarder assists too. Coasting in neutral or with the engine off removes control and continuous footbrake use causes brake fade.

Your air-brake warning device activates, showing low air pressure. What should you do?

• ACarry on driving slowly, as the warning will clear once the engine warms
• BPump the brake pedal repeatedly to build the pressure back up while moving
• CIgnore it until the end of the route and report it to the depot afterwards
• DStop as soon as it is safe and do not continue until pressure is restored✓

Answer: A low-pressure warning means the braking system may not work properly, so you stop as soon as it is safe and do not drive on until pressure is restored. Continuing to drive risks the brakes failing.

Why do large passenger vehicles generally need a greater following distance than cars?

• ATheir drivers sit higher up and therefore cannot see the road ahead clearly
• BTheir greater weight means they take longer to stop from the same speed✓
• CTheir engines are louder, so the driver needs more time to hear hazards
• DTheir tyres are wider, which makes them slide much more easily when braking

Answer: A heavier vehicle has more momentum and a longer stopping distance, so you keep a larger gap to the vehicle in front to allow for it. The higher seating position actually improves the view ahead.

How can you make a smooth stop at a bus stop with passengers standing?

• ABrake progressively, easing off just before the bus stops✓
• BChange down quickly through the gears so the engine stops the bus
• CBrake firmly at the last moment, then hold the pedal hard down
• DUse the parking brake alone to bring the bus gently to a halt

Answer: Planning ahead and braking progressively, then easing the pressure just before stopping, avoids a jolt that could make standing passengers lose their balance.

You have stopped at a bus stop. What should you do before opening the doors?

• AKeep your foot lightly on the accelerator
• BApply the parking or bus-stop brake✓
• CSwitch the engine off and remove the key
• DLeave the bus in drive, holding the footbrake

Answer: Securing the bus before the doors open stops it rolling while passengers are getting on or off. Many buses have a bus-stop brake linked to the door controls.

The ABS warning light on your coach stays on after you move off. What should this tell you?

• AThe air tanks have reached their full pressure
• BThe anti-lock system may have a fault and needs checking✓
• CThe coach is carrying more passengers than it should
• DThe retarder is working normally and is ready to be used

Answer: The ABS light should go out soon after moving off. If it stays on, the system may not be working, and it should be checked as soon as possible.

Why should you use a retarder with care on an icy road?

• AIt switches off completely whenever the air temperature falls
• BIt uses extra fuel, which can freeze in the fuel lines
• CIt can make the drive wheels lose grip and the coach skid✓
• DIt works on the front wheels, which will lock straight away

Answer: A retarder slows the drive wheels. On an icy or slippery surface this can cause them to lose grip, so it should be used with care or switched off.

Why should you avoid coasting downhill in a bus with the gears in neutral?

• AIt saves fuel, but only on the steepest hills
• BYou lose engine braking, and the brakes may overheat✓
• CThe bus will slow down too quickly for passengers
• DThe doors may open on their own when coasting

Answer: Coasting removes engine braking and reduces your control, putting more work on the footbrake, which can overheat and fade on a long descent.

How should your following distance change on a wet road?

• AIt should be at least doubled✓
• BIt can be halved if you have ABS
• CIt should be about one second
• DIt can stay the same as in the dry

Answer: The Highway Code advises at least a two-second gap in the dry, and says it should be at least doubled on wet roads.

A child runs into the road in front of your bus, which has standing passengers. What should you do?

• ASound the horn and keep going at the same speed
• BBrake gently to protect the standing passengers
• CSteer onto the pavement to avoid braking
• DBrake as hard as needed to avoid the child✓

Answer: Although you normally brake smoothly for your passengers, avoiding a person in the road comes first. In an emergency, brake as hard as necessary.

You are driving an empty coach on an exposed road in strong crosswinds. What should you do?

• ASpeed up to get through the exposed section as quickly as you can
• BSlow down and take extra care, as the coach may be blown off course✓
• CDrive close behind a larger vehicle in front to shelter from the wind
• DMove out towards the centre of the road to find calmer air

Answer: High-sided vehicles are affected by crosswinds, especially when empty. Reduce speed, keep a firm grip and watch for other vehicles being blown about.

When should you slow down for a sharp bend in a coach?

• AWhen a passenger complains about the speed
• BHalfway round, once you can see the exit
• CAs you leave the bend, before accelerating
• DBefore the bend, while the coach is straight✓

Answer: Braking before the bend while the vehicle is upright keeps it stable. Braking on the bend can cause skidding and throw passengers off balance.

On a bus fitted with spring brakes, what happens if all the air pressure is lost?

• AThe footbrake works as normal for an hour
• BThe doors lock but the brakes stay released
• CThe brakes release and the bus rolls freely
• DThe spring brakes come on and stop the bus✓

Answer: Spring brakes are held off by air. If the pressure is lost, the springs apply the brakes automatically, which is why a serious air leak brings the vehicle to a stop.