Motorcycle and Commercial Vehicle Operation
This domain tests the extra rules that apply to two-wheelers and to vehicles carrying passengers or goods for reward. Mistakes here affect other people directly, so the standard is higher than for a private car.
Motorcycles
- An approved helmet, fastened, for rider and pillion; eye protection, gloves, boots and long sleeves.
- Ride with the headlight on, take a visible lane position, and stay out of car blind spots.
- Use both brakes together; the front brake provides most stopping power but must be applied gently on sand, gravel or wet paint.
- Watch for sand, wet paint, manhole covers, potholes, crosswinds and animals.
- Carry one pillion only, with footrests and a helmet, and secure loads so they do not affect balance, lights or mirrors.
- "Jakarta" motorcycle taxis: the passenger gets a helmet too; no overloading, no weaving through moving traffic at speed, and watch for passengers stepping into the road.
Commercial and passenger vehicles
- Hold the correct licence class (PSV for passengers, goods class for load-carrying) and insurance valid for hire-and-reward use.
- Never exceed the seating capacity on the vehicle's papers. No standing passengers, nobody in the luggage area.
- Roof racks and trailers: secure everything, keep within weight and height limits, and keep lights, plate and mirrors visible.
- Daily walk-around check: tyres, brakes, lights, wipers, doors, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, spare wheel and jack.
- Professional drivers face fatigue rules doubled: long shifts, early starts and heat. Take the scheduled rest; a tired driver with twenty passengers is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
- Pick up and set down only where it is safe and legal, with doors closed before moving and nobody still boarding.
Worked example
Your gelly-gelly is full and a trader wants four heavy sacks loaded on the roof. Reasoning: the load raises the centre of gravity, can shift or fall into traffic, and may take the vehicle over its permitted weight; an insecure roof load also risks covering the lights or number plate. Refuse the excess, or take only what can be properly secured within the limit - and never let passengers ride among the goods.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating a passenger's helmet as optional.
- Overloading "because it's a short trip".
- Loads that cover lights, plate or mirrors.
- Lane-splitting at speed on a motorcycle.
- Letting a passenger board while the vehicle is still moving.