PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a PCV driver's primary duty of care towards passengers?
- To transport passengers safely, ensuring all relevant safety precautions are observed and passengers are not put at risk (Correct answer)
- To get passengers to their destination as quickly as possible
- To ensure the timetable is kept regardless of conditions
- To maintain passenger comfort above all other considerations
Correct answer: To transport passengers safely, ensuring all relevant safety precautions are observed and passengers are not put at risk
The primary duty of care is to transport passengers safely. This includes driving at appropriate speeds, securing the vehicle before passengers board or alight, checking for vulnerable passengers, and not driving in a way that puts passengers at risk.
Question 2: What should a PCV driver do before driving away from a bus stop?
- Ensure all passengers are seated or holding a support, check mirrors to confirm the door is clear, and check no passengers are still boarding (Correct answer)
- Immediately close the doors and drive away
- Only check that the doors are closed — passenger seating is their responsibility
- Signal and move away quickly to maintain schedule
Correct answer: Ensure all passengers are seated or holding a support, check mirrors to confirm the door is clear, and check no passengers are still boarding
Before moving away, the driver must ensure passengers have had time to be seated or secured (holding handrails), check all mirrors (including the kerbside mirror for the door area), and confirm it is safe to pull away. This is especially important for elderly or disabled passengers.
Question 3: A passenger appears to be in medical distress on the bus. What should the PCV driver do?
- Stop the vehicle safely at the earliest opportunity, provide first aid if trained, call 999, and keep calm to reassure other passengers (Correct answer)
- Continue to the next stop and call emergency services from there
- Ask other passengers if anyone is a doctor
- Only stop if the passenger is unconscious
Correct answer: Stop the vehicle safely at the earliest opportunity, provide first aid if trained, call 999, and keep calm to reassure other passengers
A passenger in medical distress is a medical emergency. The driver must stop safely as soon as possible (not just at the next scheduled stop), call 999, provide first aid if trained, and manage other passengers to prevent panic.
Question 4: What is the legal maximum number of standing passengers on a local service bus?
- Determined by the vehicle's Certificate of Initial Fitness (CoIF) or type approval — must not exceed the operator-licensed number (Correct answer)
- Eight per metre of aisle width
- No standing passengers are permitted on any service
- Unlimited standing if seats are full
Correct answer: Determined by the vehicle's Certificate of Initial Fitness (CoIF) or type approval — must not exceed the operator-licensed number
The maximum number of standing passengers is determined by the vehicle's official certification and the operator's licence conditions. The number is specified in the vehicle's documentation. Carrying more than the certified number is illegal.
Question 5: A passenger boards with a pushchair and wants to use the pushchair space. What is the driver's responsibility?
- Ensure the pushchair is properly positioned in the designated area and the brakes are applied — the parent/carer is responsible for securing it (Correct answer)
- The driver has no responsibility once the passenger is on board
- Carry the pushchair for the passenger
- Refuse entry to passengers with pushchairs unless folded
Correct answer: Ensure the pushchair is properly positioned in the designated area and the brakes are applied — the parent/carer is responsible for securing it
The PCV driver should ensure pushchairs are in the designated area and advise parents to apply the pushchair brake. However, the parent/carer is responsible for the pushchair and child. The driver should check the space is occupied correctly before moving.
Question 6: Under what circumstances should a driver refuse entry to a passenger?
- When a passenger is behaving dangerously, is excessively intoxicated, or poses a threat to the safety of others (Correct answer)
- When a passenger does not have the correct change
- Whenever the bus is at full seated capacity
- At the driver's personal discretion for any reason
Correct answer: When a passenger is behaving dangerously, is excessively intoxicated, or poses a threat to the safety of others
Drivers may legally refuse entry to passengers who are drunk and disorderly, behaving dangerously, or likely to cause harm to themselves or others. Refusal must not be based on protected characteristics (discrimination). Operator policies should be followed.
PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 1
What is a PCV driver's primary duty of care towards passengers?