DTT HGV Passenger Safety and Air Brakes 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving a bus, how should you manage passenger safety at a bus stop?
- Come to a complete stop, wait until all passengers are seated or holding before moving, and check mirrors before pulling away (Correct answer)
- Open doors and move on as soon as all passengers have boarded
- Pull away as soon as the doors close — passengers are expected to hold on
- Move off only after the last passenger has paid their fare
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop, wait until all passengers are seated or holding before moving, and check mirrors before pulling away
At every stop, wait until the doors are closed and all passengers are safely seated or holding a support rail before moving. Check mirrors for passengers who may still be near the bus before pulling away.
Question 2: What is the legal requirement for seat belts on coaches (express buses) in Ireland?
- All seats on coaches must have seat belts and all passengers must wear them — the driver must ensure compliance (Correct answer)
- Seat belts are required only in front seats of coaches
- Seat belts are provided but wearing is advisory on coaches
- Only children are legally required to wear seat belts on coaches
Correct answer: All seats on coaches must have seat belts and all passengers must wear them — the driver must ensure compliance
Coaches (long-distance buses) must have seat belts at all passenger seats. Passengers must wear them. The driver must ensure seat belts are available and make an announcement reminding passengers to buckle up.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a retarder on a large truck or bus?
- A secondary braking system (exhaust, hydraulic, or electromagnetic) that slows the vehicle without using the service brakes — reduces brake wear and fade risk (Correct answer)
- A device that prevents wheel lock during emergency braking
- A torque converter that assists with acceleration when loaded
- A speed-limiting device that prevents exceeding the legal maximum
Correct answer: A secondary braking system (exhaust, hydraulic, or electromagnetic) that slows the vehicle without using the service brakes — reduces brake wear and fade risk
Retarders provide additional braking effect through engine or driveline resistance (exhaust retarder), electromagnetic resistance (electromagnetic retarder), or hydraulic resistance. They reduce service brake wear and heat on descents.
Question 4: What action must a bus driver take before closing the doors and moving off from a bus stop?
- Check all mirrors and side cameras to ensure no passenger or pedestrian is in a dangerous position near the bus (Correct answer)
- Wait for a signal from the dispatcher
- Sound the horn once to warn pedestrians
- Only check the offside mirror — nearside passengers board from the pavement
Correct answer: Check all mirrors and side cameras to ensure no passenger or pedestrian is in a dangerous position near the bus
Before moving off, use all mirrors and any CCTV cameras to check the full perimeter of the bus — particularly the nearside for passengers who may have been left behind and are approaching the bus.
Question 5: How should a bus driver handle the bus when negotiating a sharp corner?
- Slow to a safe speed before the corner, use a wider turning radius where permitted, and be aware of rear overhang sweeping into the opposite lane (Correct answer)
- Take corners as tightly as possible to stay in the lane
- Use the horn to alert pedestrians to the wide swing of the rear
- Only buses over 12 metres require special technique at corners
Correct answer: Slow to a safe speed before the corner, use a wider turning radius where permitted, and be aware of rear overhang sweeping into the opposite lane
Buses have a long wheelbase and significant rear overhang. When turning, the rear of the bus swings outward beyond the front's path. Drivers must allow extra width and warn other road users when making tight turns.
Question 6: What is the safe speed at which to negotiate a motorway interchange (spiral ramp)?
- Significantly below the advisory speed shown — large vehicles have a higher centre of gravity and greater rollover risk than cars (Correct answer)
- The advisory speed shown — it applies to all vehicles
- 10 km/h below the advisory speed
- Normal motorway speed — ramps are designed for all vehicles
Correct answer: Significantly below the advisory speed shown — large vehicles have a higher centre of gravity and greater rollover risk than cars
Advisory speeds on motorway ramps are calculated for cars. Trucks and buses have a much higher centre of gravity — following the car advisory speed risks rollover. Large vehicle drivers must reduce speed significantly on ramps.
DTT HGV Passenger Safety and Air Brakes 3
When driving a bus, how should you manage passenger safety at a bus stop?