PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 3

Question 1

What are the legal requirements for seatbelt use on coaches?

Accepted Answer

All passengers in seats fitted with seatbelts must wear them — drivers must inform passengers and children under 14 must be belted

Answer

On coaches (long-distance and private hire), all passengers must wear seatbelts where fitted. The driver is responsible for informing passengers and for ensuring children under 14 are wearing seatbelts. On local service buses, seatbelt requirements vary.

Question 2

What is the driver's duty of care regarding luggage in the overhead lockers of a coach?

Accepted Answer

Advise passengers to stow luggage securely and to take care when opening lockers — heavy items can fall and cause injury

Answer

PCV drivers should advise passengers to stow luggage carefully in overhead lockers, particularly heavy items, and to take care when opening them as items may have shifted during transit. Injury from falling luggage is a safety risk.

Question 3

How should a PCV driver manage the risk of passengers falling when the bus is moving?

Accepted Answer

Drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration, braking, and cornering, and allow sufficient time for passengers to be seated before pulling away

Answer

The driver directly controls the risk to standing passengers through their driving style. Smooth acceleration, braking, and cornering reduce the risk of falls. Allowing time for passengers to be seated before moving away is also part of this duty.

Question 4

What should a driver do if they suspect a passenger has left a bag unattended on the bus?

Accepted Answer

Follow operator and security procedures — treat it as a potential security threat, alert the control room, and do not touch or move the item

Answer

Unattended bags on public transport are treated as potential security threats. PCV drivers should follow their operator's security procedures, which typically involve alerting the control room and not touching or moving the item. Public transport security procedures are in place for this reason.

Question 5

What is the procedure for managing an emergency evacuation of a bus or coach?

Accepted Answer

Activate emergency exits, direct passengers to exits calmly, account for all passengers, and assist those who need help to exit safely

Answer

In an emergency evacuation, the driver must activate emergency exits (roof hatches, rear emergency doors), direct passengers to use exits calmly to avoid panic, help disabled or vulnerable passengers, and count passengers to ensure all are accounted for.

DVSA UK Driving Theory Practice Test

DVSA UK Driving Theory Practice Test

PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 3