Trainee bus driver and instructor reviewing a checklist beside a single-deck bus at the depot

PCV study notes

The Driver

Health, eyesight, alcohol and drugs, fatigue and your responsibilities as a professional driver.

What this topic covers

Health, eyesight, alcohol and drugs, fatigue and your responsibilities as a professional driver. The full PCV Theory Test & Toolkit app contains 90 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Consideration, Courtesy, Priority, Vehicle safety equipment, Tiredness, Drugs and alcohol.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

You're driving a slow-moving vehicle on a narrow, winding road. What should you do to let other vehicles overtake you?

A. Stop in a safe place ✓ correct
B. Wave them past
C. Drive more slowly
D. Show a left-turn signal

Explanation: Do not frustrate other road users by driving for long distances with a queue of traffic behind you. This could cause them to lose concentration and overtake in an unsafe way. Stop where it's safe and let them pass.

Example 2

What should you do if you're signalled to stop by a police officer in a patrol car?

A. Stop immediately wherever you are
B. Stop on the left as soon as it's safe ✓ correct
C. Drive on until you reach a side road
D. Brake harshly to a stop

Explanation: If a police officer signals for you to stop, stop as soon as possible in a safe place on the left.

Example 3

You're driving on the motorway and want to use your mobile phone. What should you do before using it?

A. Stop in a safe place when you can ✓ correct
B. Move into the left-hand lane
C. Stop on the hard shoulder
D. Reduce your speed to 40 mph

Explanation: Plan your journey and take breaks to keep in touch if necessary. When driving on motorways, you cannot just stop to use your mobile phone. You'll need to turn off the motorway or wait until you reach the next service area. Avoid being distracted by switching your phone off while you're driving; use the message facility to listen to any calls when you've parked safely.

Example 4

When are you most likely to lose concentration while you're driving?

A. When you look at the door mirrors
B. When you switch on the heated rear window
C. When you switch on the windscreen wipers
D. When you use a mobile phone ✓ correct

Explanation: Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal. It will distract you from your driving, because your attention is split between the phone call and your driving.

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More PCV study notes

Get all 90 questions on this topic in the PCV Theory Test & Toolkit app.