Restricted View & Vulnerable Road Users

Before moving off from a bus stop, what should you pay particular attention to?

• AThe fuel gauge reading, so that you know the tank holds enough for the whole route
• BCyclists and other traffic passing close on your offside as you pull out✓
• CThe interior temperature so that waiting passengers are comfortable
• DThe radio volume so that your announcements can be heard clearly

Answer: As you signal and pull away, cyclists and vehicles may be passing on your offside, so you check mirrors and blind spots carefully before moving out. Comfort and route items matter but are not the safety check for pulling away.

A large vehicle has significant blind spots. How can you best reduce the risk they create?

• ARely only on the nearside mirror, since that side is where most of the risk is
• BAssume that any road user in a blind spot will keep well clear of your vehicle
• CCheck all your mirrors regularly and take extra care where they cannot see✓
• DFold the mirrors in on narrow streets to avoid clipping parked cars

Answer: Frequent, all-round mirror checks plus extra caution for the areas mirrors cannot cover is how you manage blind spots, especially near cyclists and pedestrians. Relying on one mirror, assuming others will move, or folding mirrors away all increase the danger.

You are turning left across a cycle lane at a junction. What is the main risk?

• AA cyclist may overtake you on the offside just as you complete the turn
• BYour long vehicle may be too wide to complete a left turn at all
• CA cyclist may be coming up on your nearside as you begin the turn✓
• DPedestrians on the far pavement may not be able to see your indicator

Answer: When turning left, a cyclist filtering up your nearside is the classic and most dangerous conflict, so you check the nearside mirror and blind spot before and during the turn. The offside is not where a left-turn cyclist conflict arises.

At a bus stop, pedestrians are gathered close to the kerb. How should you approach?

• ASlow down and be ready to stop, as someone may step into the road✓
• BMaintain your speed and sound the horn to move the pedestrians back
• CPull in quickly so the gap between the bus and kerb is closed at once
• DSwing wide towards the centre line and pass the stop without slowing

Answer: People waiting at a stop, especially children, may step off the kerb, so you approach at a speed that lets you stop safely and pull in smoothly. Keeping speed and sounding the horn, or pulling in sharply, put pedestrians at risk.

Why should you take special care around pedestrians when driving in a busy town centre?

• AThey are required by law to give way to a bus pulling out of a stop
• BThey may cross unexpectedly and can be hidden by your vehicle's blind spots✓
• CThey can hear a large vehicle approaching, so they will move aside in good time
• DThey are a hazard at official crossings rather than elsewhere on the street

Answer: In busy areas pedestrians may step out without warning and can be concealed in a large vehicle's blind spots, so constant awareness and low speed are essential. Pedestrians do not have to give way to you and are a hazard anywhere.

According to the Highway Code, what gap should you leave when passing a cyclist at up to 30 mph?

• AAt least 1 metre
• BAt least 1.5 metres✓
• CAt least 3 metres
• DAt least 75 cm

Answer: Rule 163 says to leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30 mph, and more space at higher speeds.

What does the Highway Code advise when you pass a horse rider in a bus?

• APass at under 10 mph, leaving at least 2 metres✓
• BPass at any speed, provided you give a warning
• CPass at under 20 mph, leaving at least 1 metre
• DPass at under 30 mph, leaving at least 1.5 metres

Answer: Rule 163 advises passing horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres of space.

Under the Highway Code's hierarchy of road users, why does a bus driver carry a greater responsibility than a cyclist?

• ABuses have priority over other vehicles on the road
• BCyclists are not covered by the Highway Code
• CA bus can cause far greater harm in a collision✓
• DA bus driver has passed more driving tests

Answer: Rule H1 places the greatest responsibility to reduce danger on those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm.

You are turning left into a road where a pedestrian is waiting to cross. What should you do?

• AGive way to the pedestrian✓
• BTurn, as you are already signalling
• CSound the horn to warn the pedestrian
• DWave the pedestrian across the road

Answer: Rule H2 says you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

You signal to pull out from a bus stop. What does the Highway Code say about other drivers?

• AThey should flash their lights to invite you to pull out
• BThey have priority, so you wait until the road is empty
• CThey must stop at once, so you can pull out without looking
• DThey should give way if safe, but you still check✓

Answer: Rule 223 asks other drivers to give priority to buses signalling to pull away from stops if they can do so safely. It does not give the bus an absolute right of way, so check mirrors and blind spots.

Passengers have just got off your bus at a stop. What particular danger should you watch for as you move off?

• APassengers asking for change as you drive off
• BLitter left on the seats by departing passengers
• CSomeone crossing the road in front of the bus✓
• DThe destination display changing to the next stop

Answer: People who have just left the bus may walk in front of it to cross, where they can be hidden from the driver's view. Check carefully before moving off.

Why should you check your front and nearside mirrors before moving off from a stop?

• AThe mirrors show whether the fare machine is working
• BThey show whether the rear doors have opened
• CSomeone small may be hidden near the front✓
• DThey let you see whether the tachograph has started

Answer: People standing close to the front or nearside of a bus can be below the driver's line of sight. Front and nearside mirrors help cover these blind spots.

Besides buses, who may often use a bus lane when the signs allow it?

• ACars carrying two or more passengers
• BAny vehicle, if it is running late
• CCyclists, and sometimes taxis or motorcycles✓
• DLorries over 7.5 tonnes making local deliveries

Answer: Rule 141 explains that the signs show which vehicles may use a bus lane and when. Many bus lanes may also be used by cyclists, and some by taxis or motorcycles.

Why should you take extra care around trams?

• AThey must give way to buses at every junction and stop
• BThey cannot steer to avoid you and may approach quietly✓
• CThey are only found on roads closed to other traffic
• DThey travel slowly and can stop within a few metres

Answer: Trams cannot steer round obstructions, may be very quiet and can take a long time to stop. Keep tram lanes and stops clear.

What is the maximum speed of a class 3 powered wheelchair or mobility scooter on the road?

• A4 mph
• B15 mph
• C12 mph
• D8 mph✓

Answer: The Highway Code says class 3 powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters have an upper speed limit of 8 mph on the road and 4 mph on the pavement. Allow for their low speed and give them room.