PCV Passenger Safety and Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the legal requirement for a PCV driver regarding passenger announcements on coach journeys?
- No announcements are required by law
- Drivers must inform passengers about seatbelt requirements and the location of emergency exits (Correct answer)
- Drivers must provide a full safety demonstration
- Only the tour guide makes announcements
Correct answer: Drivers must inform passengers about seatbelt requirements and the location of emergency exits
PCV regulations require drivers to inform passengers about seatbelt use and emergency exit locations.
Drivers of coaches fitted with seatbelts must inform passengers they must wear them. Best practice includes pointing out emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and first aid equipment.
Question 2: A passenger asks you to carry their mobility scooter in the luggage hold. What should you consider?
- Always refuse - mobility scooters are too heavy
- Check your operator's policy, the scooter's weight, battery type, and secure storage requirements (Correct answer)
- Accept without question
- Only accept if the passenger can lift it themselves
Correct answer: Check your operator's policy, the scooter's weight, battery type, and secure storage requirements
Carrying mobility scooters requires checking operator policy, weight limits, battery safety, and secure storage.
Consider operator policy, weight limits, battery type (lithium has specific regulations), dimensions, and securing. Never refuse without checking your operator's specific policy.
Question 3: During a long coach journey, how often should the driver offer comfort breaks?
- Every 30 minutes
- Approximately every 2 hours, depending on journey length and passenger needs (Correct answer)
- Only at the destination
- Whenever the driver needs a break
Correct answer: Approximately every 2 hours, depending on journey length and passenger needs
Comfort breaks should be offered approximately every 2 hours on longer journeys.
Good practice suggests stops every 2 hours for journeys over 3 hours. Consider passenger age, whether there is an onboard toilet, and weather conditions.
Question 4: A passenger with a guide dog boards your bus. Under what circumstances can you refuse to carry the dog?
- If any other passenger objects
- You cannot refuse unless you have a valid medical exemption certificate (Correct answer)
- If the dog appears untrained
- If the bus is already crowded
Correct answer: You cannot refuse unless you have a valid medical exemption certificate
Assistance dogs must be carried unless the driver has a formal medical exemption. Refusal is unlawful discrimination.
Under the Equality Act 2010, refusing a registered assistance dog is unlawful discrimination. The only exception is a formal medical exemption certificate from the traffic commissioner.
Question 5: What should a PCV driver do if they suspect a child passenger is travelling alone and may be at risk?
- Put the child off the bus at the next stop
- Allow the child to continue, but discreetly inform your control room for safeguarding reporting (Correct answer)
- Ignore it
- Question the child directly
Correct answer: Allow the child to continue, but discreetly inform your control room for safeguarding reporting
Report your concerns through proper channels. Do not put a vulnerable child off alone.
Do not put the child off alone. Contact your control room with details, allow them to continue to a safe destination, and call 999 if you believe there is immediate danger.
Question 6: During hot weather, what should a PCV driver do to ensure passenger comfort and safety?
- Keep windows closed to prevent noise
- Ensure ventilation is working, offer water stops, monitor passengers for signs of heat illness, and avoid prolonged idling (Correct answer)
- Nothing different from normal operation
- Drive faster to create airflow
Correct answer: Ensure ventilation is working, offer water stops, monitor passengers for signs of heat illness, and avoid prolonged idling
Hot weather requires proactive measures including ventilation, hydration opportunities, and monitoring for heat illness.
Ensure air conditioning works, open windows if no AC, offer more frequent breaks, monitor for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and carry extra water if possible.
PCV Passenger Safety and Care 2
What is the legal requirement for a PCV driver regarding passenger announcements on coach journeys?