PDVL Safe Driving Practices — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended maximum continuous driving time for PDVL holders in Singapore?
- No limit exists
- Drivers should not drive continuously for more than 8-10 hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents (Correct answer)
- 24 hours continuously is acceptable
- Only 2 hours at a time
Correct answer: Drivers should not drive continuously for more than 8-10 hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents
While there is no strict legal limit on hours, LTA recommends that private hire drivers take regular breaks and avoid excessive continuous driving to prevent fatigue, which impairs reaction time and judgement.
Question 2: What should a PDVL driver do if a passenger appears intoxicated?
- Refuse to pick them up
- Accept the ride but take precautions: confirm the destination, drive carefully, and ensure the passenger arrives safely; refuse only if the passenger is violent or disruptive (Correct answer)
- Ask the passenger to pay extra
- Drop the passenger at the nearest police station
Correct answer: Accept the ride but take precautions: confirm the destination, drive carefully, and ensure the passenger arrives safely; refuse only if the passenger is violent or disruptive
PDVL drivers should exercise professional judgement. Accept intoxicated passengers unless they are violent or likely to damage the vehicle. Confirm the destination and ensure they arrive safely.
Question 3: What defensive driving technique is most important for PDVL drivers in Singapore?
- Driving as fast as possible to complete more trips
- Maintaining safe following distances, scanning the road ahead, anticipating hazards, and being prepared for unexpected actions by other road users (Correct answer)
- Tailgating to keep up with traffic flow
- Using the horn frequently
Correct answer: Maintaining safe following distances, scanning the road ahead, anticipating hazards, and being prepared for unexpected actions by other road users
Defensive driving is critical for PDVL drivers who spend extended hours on the road. Scanning ahead, maintaining safe gaps, and anticipating hazards reduces accident risk significantly.
Question 4: What are the key considerations when driving in Singapore's heavy rain conditions?
- Drive faster to get through the rain quickly
- Reduce speed, increase following distance, use headlights, avoid sudden manoeuvres, and be extra cautious at junctions and near pedestrians (Correct answer)
- Only turn on hazard lights
- Pull over and refuse all passengers
Correct answer: Reduce speed, increase following distance, use headlights, avoid sudden manoeuvres, and be extra cautious at junctions and near pedestrians
Singapore's tropical storms create dangerous driving conditions with reduced visibility and wet roads. PDVL drivers must slow down, use dipped headlights, increase following distance, and drive smoothly.
Question 5: What is the correct procedure for a PDVL driver involved in a traffic accident?
- Leave the scene and continue driving passengers
- Stop, ensure safety, render assistance, exchange details, report to police within 24 hours, and inform the platform operator and vehicle owner (Correct answer)
- Only take photos and leave
- Only call the ride-hailing company
Correct answer: Stop, ensure safety, render assistance, exchange details, report to police within 24 hours, and inform the platform operator and vehicle owner
Accident procedures for PDVL drivers are the same as all drivers: stop, assist injured, exchange details, report to police. Additionally, inform the ride-hailing platform and the vehicle owner/rental company.
Question 6: Why is it important for PDVL drivers to be familiar with Singapore's road network?
- It is not important with GPS available
- Knowledge of routes, alternative paths, peak-hour congestion patterns, and shortcuts improves efficiency, reduces travel time, and enhances passenger satisfaction (Correct answer)
- Only expressways need to be known
- Only the CBD area matters
Correct answer: Knowledge of routes, alternative paths, peak-hour congestion patterns, and shortcuts improves efficiency, reduces travel time, and enhances passenger satisfaction
While GPS helps, knowing Singapore's roads, common traffic patterns, ERP gantry locations, and alternative routes when jams occur makes a PDVL driver more efficient and provides better passenger service.
PDVL Safe Driving Practices
What is the recommended maximum continuous driving time for PDVL holders in Singapore?