Passenger safety, braking and accessibility for bus and coach drivers
Every decision a PCV driver makes is felt by the people behind them. This guide covers safety on board, braking that does not throw passengers forward, and the accessibility duties that come with the job.
A lorry driver’s load is tied down. A bus driver’s load walks, stands, sits down slowly and sometimes falls. PCV theory questions use that difference constantly: the right answer is often the one that protects the passenger who is not holding on.
Keeping passengers safe on board
Boarding and moving off
Stop close to the kerb and parallel to it so passengers do not step into a gap. Before you close the doors, check the door area in the mirror or monitor; before moving off, check that passengers who have just boarded, especially older people and parents with children, are seated or holding on. Moving away while someone is still walking down the aisle is a common cause of injury on buses.
Never move off with the doors open. Many buses have an interlock that prevents moving off with the doors open, but you should not rely on it.
On the move
- Keep the aisle and exits clear of luggage and pushchairs.
- Watch the interior mirror for passengers standing up before their stop.
- On coaches with seat belts, passengers aged 14 and over are legally required to wear them, and the operator must tell passengers about this, for example by an announcement or signs.
When something goes wrong
If there is a fire, stop somewhere safe, switch off the engine, open the doors and get everyone off and away from the vehicle and traffic before dealing with anything else. Use the extinguisher only on a small fire, and only once passengers are out.
Know where the emergency exits and the emergency exit hammers are, how the emergency door release works, and where the first aid kit is if your vehicle needs one. The daily check is where you confirm this.
With a passenger who is drunk, aggressive or a danger to others, stay calm and follow company procedure. Do not argue while driving, and call for help when needed.
Braking and cornering with people standing
A standing passenger has no seat belt and often only one hand free. Harsh braking or sudden steering can throw them down the bus.
Plan early. Look far ahead for stops, lights and hazards so that you can slow down gradually.
Brake progressively. Apply the brake gently, increase the pressure, then ease it off just before the bus stops so it comes to rest without a jolt. Holding full pressure until standstill pitches everyone forward.
Use endurance braking. A retarder or exhaust brake slows a heavy coach smoothly on long descents and reduces the risk of brake fade. Select a lower gear before the hill rather than on it.
Steer smoothly. At roundabouts and tight bends, a lower entry speed is the difference between a comfortable turn and passengers sliding along seats. Speed humps and cushions need a crawl, especially for people at the back of a bus, where the bounce is greatest.
Keep distance. A full coach carries a lot of weight and takes longer to stop than a car. A long following distance is your only buffer when the vehicle in front stops suddenly.
In an emergency you may still need to brake hard. The aim is to make that rare by anticipating, not to avoid braking when someone steps out.
Accessibility and customer care
Local buses and coaches are covered by the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations, and drivers need to know how the access features on their own vehicle work.
| Feature | What you should do |
|---|---|
| Kneeling system | Lower the bus at stops for passengers who need a smaller step |
| Ramp or lift | Deploy it fully, on a level kerb where possible, and stow it before moving |
| Wheelchair space | Make sure it is available; ask other passengers, including those with pushchairs, to move if a wheelchair user needs it |
| Priority seats | Remind passengers they are for people who need them |
| Next-stop information | Make sure audible and visual announcements work, and announce stops yourself if they fail |
Give a wheelchair user time to position safely and apply the brake before you move off. Some passengers have hidden disabilities, hearing loss or sight loss: face them when you speak, answer questions clearly, and let them sit before moving.
Assistance dogs are allowed on board. Refusing a passenger because of their dog is not acceptable.
Customer care also means good communication when things go wrong: tell passengers about delays and diversions, and stay polite. Conflict escalates quickly on a crowded bus, and staying calm helps keep everyone safe.
Typical wrong answers in this area: “move off as soon as the doors close”, “brake firmly to stop on time” and “it is the passenger’s job to find a seat quickly”.
For the stops themselves, and how to pull in without the bus’s overhang hitting anyone, read bus stops, manoeuvres and route hazards. The access equipment on this page is also on the bus and coach daily check, and the PCV mock tests put all three topics into exam-style questions. To see where this block sits in your revision, use the PCV study map.
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