Documents, Incidents & Emergencies

Which category of driving licence do you need to drive a full-size single-deck or double-deck bus?

• ACategory D✓
• BCategory C
• CCategory B
• DCategory D1 only

Answer: Category D entitles you to drive buses with more than eight passenger seats of any length. Category C is for large goods vehicles, B is for cars, and D1 is limited to smaller vehicles of up to 16 passenger seats.

As a professional bus or coach driver, what must you hold in addition to the correct licence category?

• AA valid advanced car driving certificate from an approved scheme
• BA valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC)✓
• CA separate first aid at work certificate renewed every single year
• DA goods vehicle operator's licence issued in your own personal name

Answer: Driving professionally requires a current Driver CPC, shown by the driver qualification card, alongside the correct vocational licence category. An advanced car certificate, a first aid certificate or an operator's licence are not the professional driving requirement.

You are first on the scene of an incident where someone is injured. What should you do first?

• AMove all the casualties well clear of the road straight away
• BGive any casualty a drink to help them recover from the shock
• CLeave at once so that you do not obstruct the emergency services
• DMake the area safe and call the emergency services✓

Answer: Making the scene safe, for example by warning other traffic, and calling the emergency services come first, so further harm is prevented and help is on the way. You should not move casualties unless they are in danger, or give them anything to drink.

There is a fire on board your coach. What is your priority?

• ADrive on quickly to the depot where the fire can be dealt with
• BStop, get all the passengers off safely and away from the vehicle✓
• CKeep the passengers in their seats while you tackle the fire alone
• DOpen the fuel cap to release pressure before fighting the fire

Answer: Passenger safety comes first, so you stop, evacuate everyone to a safe distance and then raise the alarm; a fire extinguisher is only for a small fire once passengers are clear. Driving on, keeping passengers aboard or opening the fuel cap all increase the danger.

Your bus breaks down on the carriageway with passengers on board. What should you do?

• AAsk passengers to stay in their seats and wait for a replacement bus
• BStand behind the bus to direct the passing traffic around it yourself
• CLeave the bus unattended and walk to the depot to fetch assistance
• DSwitch on the hazard warning lights and get passengers to a safe place✓

Answer: You warn other traffic with the hazard lights and move passengers away from the carriageway to a safe place, then arrange help. Keeping passengers aboard on a live carriageway, directing traffic yourself or abandoning the bus all put people at risk.

How often must a bus or coach normally pass its annual roadworthiness test to stay legal?

• AEvery three years, the same as a new private car
• BOnly when it is sold or the operator changes hands
• CEvery five years, provided it passes a daily check
• DEvery year, once the vehicle is a year old✓

Answer: A PSV must pass an annual roadworthiness (MOT) test each year once it reaches a year old, in addition to regular safety inspections. The three-year first-test rule applies to cars, not buses.

What vehicles does a category D1 entitlement allow you to drive?

• AMinibuses with up to 8 passenger seats and up to 12 metres long
• BBuses with more than 8 passenger seats of any length at all
• CMinibuses with up to 16 passenger seats and up to 8 metres long✓
• DCoaches with up to 30 passenger seats and up to 10 metres long

Answer: GOV.UK says category D1 covers vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats and a maximum length of 8 metres, with a trailer up to 750 kg. Category D covers larger buses.

How much periodic training must a bus or coach driver complete to keep their Driver CPC?

• A35 hours every 5 years✓
• B25 hours every 5 years
• C35 hours every 3 years
• D10 hours every year

Answer: Professional drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep their Driver CPC.

What is the maximum fine for driving a bus professionally without a Driver CPC?

• AUp to £250
• BUp to £100
• CUp to £5,000
• DUp to £1,000✓

Answer: GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC.

How many questions are in the multiple-choice part of the bus and coach theory test, and what is the pass mark?

• A50 questions, pass mark 43
• B100 questions, pass mark 85✓
• C100 questions, pass mark 75
• D60 questions, pass mark 50

Answer: The multiple-choice part has 100 questions to answer in 1 hour 55 minutes, and you need 85 correct to pass.

How long is a bus and coach theory test certificate valid?

• A10 years, as long as you hold a licence
• B5 years from passing the first part
• C3 years from passing the second part
• D2 years from passing the first part✓

Answer: The theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.

What is the pass mark for the hazard perception part of the bus and coach theory test?

• A85 out of 100
• B50 out of 100
• C67 out of 100✓
• D44 out of 75

Answer: The hazard perception part uses 19 video clips and the pass mark is 67 out of 100.

How often must a bus driver aged 45 to 64 send a D4 medical report to renew their licence?

• AEvery 10 years
• BEvery 3 years
• CEvery year
• DEvery 5 years✓

Answer: From age 45, bus and lorry drivers need a D4 medical report every 5 years until 65, and every year after that.

What is the minimum visual acuity a bus driver needs in their better eye, with glasses or lenses if needed?

• ASnellen 6/60 (decimal 0.1)
• BSnellen 6/18 (decimal 0.3)
• CSnellen 6/12 (decimal 0.5)
• DSnellen 6/7.5 (decimal 0.8)✓

Answer: The Group 2 standard is at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and at least 6/60 in the poorer eye, together with a minimum field of vision.

Your bus breaks down on an ordinary road. Where should a warning triangle be placed, if it is safe to do so?

• AAt least 5 metres behind the bus
• BAt least 45 metres behind the bus✓
• CAt least 100 metres in front of it
• DOn the roof of the bus, facing back

Answer: Rule 276 advises placing a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind a broken-down vehicle. Do not use triangles on motorways.

Your coach breaks down on a motorway and you have stopped on the hard shoulder. What should you do with the passengers?

• ALet them wait on the hard shoulder beside the coach
• BKeep them on board with their seat belts fastened
• CAsk them to walk to the next exit and wait there
• DGet them off to the left, behind the barrier✓

Answer: Following rule 277, get passengers out through the nearside, away from traffic, and wait behind the safety barrier where possible. Do not let anyone return to the vehicle.

Your bus is in a collision that injures someone, and you are unable to exchange details. By when must you report it to the police?

• ABy the end of the following week, by letter or email
• BWithin 72 hours, in writing to the local council
• CWithin 7 days, through the operator's insurers
• DAs soon as reasonably practicable, within 24 hours✓

Answer: Rule 286 says you must report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Passengers need to leave your coach quickly after a crash and the doors are jammed. What should be used?

• AThe luggage lockers, which open from inside the coach
• BThe driver's side window, which is the widest opening
• CThe emergency exits or the hammers to break the marked windows✓
• DThe roof hatch, which is the quickest way out for the passengers

Answer: Coaches are fitted with emergency exits and hammers to break the marked windows. Knowing where they are is part of the safety briefing for passengers.

A passenger has been burned. How long does the Highway Code advise cooling the burn with clean, cool water?

• AAt least 3 minutes
• BAbout 30 seconds
• CAt least 1 hour
• DAt least 20 minutes✓

Answer: Annex 7 of the Highway Code advises cooling a burn for at least 20 minutes with plenty of clean, cool water.

You are giving chest compressions to an adult. How deep and how fast does the Highway Code advise?

• A5 to 6 cm, about twice a second✓
• B1 cm, about once every two seconds
• C2 to 3 cm, about once a second
• D10 cm, about three times a second

Answer: Annex 7 advises pressing down hard and fast, around 5 to 6 centimetres and about twice a second.

A passenger has collapsed and is unconscious but breathing normally. What should you do while waiting for help?

• AStart chest compressions
• BGive them water to drink slowly
• CPut them in the recovery position✓
• DSit them upright in a seat

Answer: Annex 7 says an unconscious casualty who is breathing should be placed in the recovery position until medical help arrives.

Your bus stalls on a level crossing and will not restart. What should you do first?

• AAsk passengers to push the bus off the crossing
• BKeep the passengers on board and try to restart the engine
• CPhone the depot and wait for a mechanic to arrive
• DGet everyone clear, then phone the signal operator✓

Answer: Rule 299 advises getting everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately, then using the railway telephone to contact the signal operator.