The Driver & Vehicle Condition

When should a bus or coach driver carry out the daily walkaround check?

• AOnce a week, on the day of the first shift
• BWhen the vehicle has passengers on board
• CBefore driving the vehicle on the journey✓
• DAfter the first run of the day is complete

Answer: GOV.UK says to carry out a walkaround check before your journey to make sure the vehicle is safe to drive.

How should defects found on a bus walkaround check be reported?

• ABy phone to the next driver of the vehicle
• BNo report is needed if the bus still drives
• CIn writing, to the person who deals with defects✓
• DBy a note left on the dashboard for the fitter

Answer: Defects must be recorded in writing, including the registration, date, defect details and your assessment, and reported to the person responsible for sorting out defects.

During the walkaround check, what should you check about the emergency exits?

• AThat they are locked so that passengers cannot open them by mistake
• BThat luggage is stacked in front of them for safety
• CThat they are painted the same colour as the body
• DThat they work, are secure when shut and are clearly marked✓

Answer: The PSV walkaround check requires doors and emergency exits to work correctly, be secure when shut and open fully, with exit markings visible.

What is the minimum tread depth for the tyres on a bus or coach?

• A1 mm across three-quarters of the width, all the way round✓
• B1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread
• C0.5 mm in any one groove of the tread, measured at its deepest point
• D3 mm across the full width, all the way round

Answer: Vehicles over 3,500 kg need at least 1 mm of tread in a continuous band across at least three-quarters of the tread width, around the whole circumference.

Since February 2021, which tyres are banned from the front steered axle of a bus or coach?

• ATyres more than 3 years old
• BTyres more than 10 years old✓
• CTyres with sidewall writing
• DTyres fitted by a retailer

Answer: Construction and Use rules ban tyres aged over 10 years from the front steered axles of buses, coaches and HGVs, and from all single wheels on minibuses.

You find a dangerous defect on your bus partway through a route. What must you do?

• AReport it at the next annual test
• BCarry on but drive more slowly
• CFinish the route, then report it
• DHave it fixed before you continue✓

Answer: GOV.UK guidance says you must get dangerous defects fixed before you continue your journey.

What should you check about the passenger seat belts on your walkaround check?

• AThat they are all the same colour as the seats
• BThat they are tucked behind the seats out of sight
• CThat they are fitted to the front row of seats, behind the driver
• DThat they are undamaged, fasten securely and retract✓

Answer: The walkaround check requires seat belts to have no cuts or damage, stay secure when fastened and retract properly when unfastened.

Why should you check the bell pushes on your walkaround check?

• ASo the tachograph records each stop on the route
• BSo you can sound an alarm if there is an emergency
• CSo passengers can tell you when they want to stop✓
• DSo the doors open automatically at every stop

Answer: Bell pushes let passengers signal that they want to get off. The PSV walkaround check includes making sure they work.

You feel drowsy while driving a coach on a motorway. What does the Highway Code advise?

• AStop safely, take caffeine and have a nap✓
• BChat to a passenger to help you stay alert
• CDrive faster to reach the destination sooner
• DOpen the windows and turn the radio up loud

Answer: The Highway Code advises stopping in a safe place, such as a service area, and suggests two cups of caffeinated coffee and a nap of at least 15 minutes.

What is the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland, in milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood?

• A100 mg
• B50 mg✓
• C25 mg
• D80 mg

Answer: The limit in Scotland is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, compared with 80 mg in England and Wales. Operators often set a zero limit for their drivers.

Your doctor prescribes a new medicine. What should you check before driving a bus?

• AWhether it can be taken with a hot drink
• BWhether it needs to be kept in a fridge
• CWhether it could affect your ability to drive✓
• DWhether it is cheaper to buy it over the counter

Answer: Some medicines cause drowsiness or affect vision or judgement. Check the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist before driving.

What is the penalty for using a hand-held phone while driving?

• A3 penalty points and a £100 fine
• BA warning letter on the first offence
• C6 penalty points and a £200 fine✓
• DA fine only, with no points added

Answer: Using a hand-held phone while driving carries 6 penalty points and a £200 fine, and can put a professional driver's vocational licence at risk.

A bus driver develops obstructive sleep apnoea that causes excessive sleepiness. What must they do?

• ATell passengers so they can keep watch
• BDrive only on short local routes for now
• CTell DVLA and stop driving until it is safe✓
• DTake extra breaks and keep driving normally

Answer: Obstructive sleep apnoea causing excessive sleepiness must be reported to DVLA, and the driver must not drive until it is under control.

Why should you check the destination display before starting a service?

• ASo the bus can use the bus lanes on the route
• BSo the tachograph can record the route number
• CSo the speed limiter is set for the route
• DSo passengers can see the route and destination✓

Answer: The PSV walkaround check includes making sure the route and destination displays work, so passengers can see which bus it is and where it is going.