PCV PCV Road Signs & Highway Code 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a circular blue sign with a white bus symbol indicate?
- A mandatory bus-only lane or route (Correct answer)
- An advisory bus route
- A bus stop ahead
- A park-and-ride facility
Correct answer: A mandatory bus-only lane or route
A blue circle containing a white bus symbol indicates a mandatory bus-only lane or route. Drivers of other vehicles must not use that lane during the operational hours shown on the sign.
Question 2: What is the speed limit for a PCV (bus or coach) on a single carriageway road?
- 50 mph (Correct answer)
- 60 mph
- 40 mph
- 55 mph
Correct answer: 50 mph
Buses and coaches (PSVs) are restricted to 50 mph on single carriageway roads, which is lower than the 60 mph limit for cars. PCV drivers must always observe this limit.
Question 3: What does a yellow and red 'no entry' sign with specific hours indicate at a bus gate?
- Only buses may enter during the hours shown — other vehicles prohibited (Correct answer)
- All vehicles prohibited at those hours
- A bus stop where buses must stop
- No overtaking during peak hours
Correct answer: Only buses may enter during the hours shown — other vehicles prohibited
A bus gate sign (often yellow/red or blue) indicates that only buses (and sometimes taxis and cycles) may use that road section during the hours shown. Cameras enforce these restrictions.
Question 4: What does a bus lane sign showing hours '7-9am, 4-7pm' mean?
- The bus lane is operational and must be used by buses during those hours — other vehicles may use it outside those hours (Correct answer)
- Buses must not use the lane at those times
- The lane is closed to all traffic at those times
- All vehicles must travel at reduced speed in those hours
Correct answer: The bus lane is operational and must be used by buses during those hours — other vehicles may use it outside those hours
Bus lanes are enforced only during operational hours shown on the sign. During those hours, only authorised vehicles (buses, sometimes taxis and cycles) may use the lane. Outside those hours, other vehicles may use it.
Question 5: At a bus stop box (yellow zigzag lines), what must a PCV driver do?
- Pull in to set down or pick up passengers — the box is reserved for buses and should not be obstructed by other vehicles (Correct answer)
- Park anywhere within the yellow markings
- Stop only if passengers request
- Avoid the bus stop and use the nearest layby
Correct answer: Pull in to set down or pick up passengers — the box is reserved for buses and should not be obstructed by other vehicles
Yellow zigzag lines at a bus stop indicate a clearway that other vehicles must not stop in. Buses should pull in to the bus stop box to allow safe boarding and alighting of passengers close to the kerb.
Question 6: What action must a PCV driver take when they see a 'school keep clear' marking on the road?
- Do not stop on the yellow zigzag lines at any time — they protect children near schools (Correct answer)
- Only applicable during school hours
- Park briefly to drop off passengers if the road is clear
- The restriction applies only to non-bus vehicles
Correct answer: Do not stop on the yellow zigzag lines at any time — they protect children near schools
School keep clear markings (yellow zigzag lines) prohibit stopping at any time during school hours. PCV drivers must not stop on these markings even to set down or pick up passengers, as it endangers children.
PCV PCV Road Signs & Highway Code 1
What does a circular blue sign with a white bus symbol indicate?