The Environment & Fuel-efficient Driving

Which driving style reduces both fuel use and wear when driving a bus?

• AAccelerating hard between stops and braking firmly at each one
• BKeeping the engine at high revs in a low gear for most of the route
• CLeaving the engine running at full throttle while waiting at stops
• DReading the road ahead and using smooth acceleration and braking✓

Answer: Anticipating the road and driving smoothly, with gentle acceleration and early braking, saves fuel, cuts emissions and reduces wear, and it is more comfortable for passengers. Harsh driving and high revs waste fuel.

Your coach is stationary at a stop for several minutes. What is the environmentally responsible action?

• AKeep the engine revving to make sure it stays warm for the next leg
• BLeave the engine idling so the air conditioning can run continuously
• CRev the engine occasionally to clear the exhaust of any build-up
• DSwitch off the engine to avoid unnecessary idling and emissions✓

Answer: Idling for a prolonged wait wastes fuel and adds needless emissions and noise, so switching the engine off is the responsible choice. Revving or idling to keep warm or run systems is unnecessary and polluting.

How does keeping tyres correctly inflated help when running a bus service?

• AIt lowers fuel consumption and reduces uneven tyre wear✓
• BIt allows you to carry more passengers than the vehicle is rated for
• CIt removes the need to check the brakes during your daily walk-round
• DIt lets you safely exceed the speed limit on dual carriageways

Answer: Correctly inflated tyres roll more efficiently, saving fuel, and wear evenly, which also improves safety and tyre life. Tyre pressure has nothing to do with passenger capacity, brake checks or speed limits.

What is a benefit of anticipating traffic conditions well ahead as a PCV driver?

• AYou can leave larger gaps only when an inspector is travelling with you
• BYou can adjust speed early, avoiding harsh braking and saving fuel✓
• CYou can ignore your mirrors because you already know what is ahead
• DYou can make up lost time by accelerating hard between the hazards

Answer: Looking well ahead lets you adjust speed gradually, which avoids harsh braking, saves fuel and is safer and smoother for passengers. It does not replace mirror checks or justify harsh acceleration.

Why is smooth driving particularly valued on a passenger service?

• AIt lets you take corners at higher speeds without any loss of control
• BIt means you no longer need to check the vehicle before each shift
• CIt improves passenger comfort and safety as well as saving fuel✓
• DIt allows standing passengers to move about freely while you drive

Answer: Smooth driving keeps passengers comfortable and safe, especially those standing, and reduces fuel use and wear. It does not enable faster cornering, remove the need for vehicle checks or make it safe to move about.

What does AdBlue do on a modern diesel bus?

• AIt cools the engine oil
• BIt reduces nitrogen oxide emissions✓
• CIt stops the fuel freezing
• DIt keeps the injectors clean

Answer: AdBlue is used in the selective catalytic reduction system to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. Check the level and top up when needed.

When does the Highway Code say you must not use the horn?

• AWhen stationary, or in built-up areas from 11.30 pm to 7 am✓
• BWhen parked at a bus stop on a road with a speed limit above 40 mph
• CBetween 9 pm and 9 am in towns, even if another road user poses a danger
• DWhen moving outside a built-up area at any time, unless you are overtaking

Answer: Rule 112 says you must not use your horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another road user poses a danger.

Why should you keep the engine speed in the green band of the rev counter?

• AIt gives the fastest acceleration
• BIt is the most fuel-efficient range✓
• CIt stops the engine overheating
• DIt keeps the air tanks full

Answer: The green band shows the engine speed range where the engine gives its power most efficiently, reducing fuel use and emissions.

How does block changing gears help save fuel on a bus?

• AIt lets the bus coast between stops
• BIt means the clutch is not needed
• CIt keeps the engine at maximum revs
• DIt reduces the number of gear changes✓

Answer: Block changing means missing out gears that are not needed, going straight to the right gear. Fewer changes save fuel and reduce wear.

To avoid a daily charge in the London Low Emission Zone, what emission standard must a bus or coach normally meet?

• AEuro VI✓
• BEuro IV
• CEuro V
• DEuro III

Answer: Transport for London's LEZ standard for buses and coaches is Euro VI; vehicles that do not meet it must pay a daily charge.

How does running the air conditioning on a coach affect fuel use?

• AIt reduces fuel consumption
• BIt has no effect on fuel use
• CIt increases fuel consumption✓
• DIt saves fuel at high speeds

Answer: Air conditioning is powered by the engine, so it uses extra fuel. Use it sensibly for passenger comfort without leaving it on unnecessarily.