Passenger Safety, Loading and Emergency Procedures
This domain tests how you protect passengers from boarding to alighting, and what you do when something goes wrong. The exam looks for load limits respected, doors controlled and a calm, ordered evacuation.
Loading and boarding
- Never carry more passengers than the seating capacity. Standing, sitting on the floor, riding in the luggage bay or hanging from doors is prohibited.
- Distribute luggage evenly and secure it; heavy items on the roof raise the centre of gravity and must stay within the rack limit.
- Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight or axle limits. Overloading lengthens stopping distance and damages tyres and suspension.
- Stop only at designated points, let passengers alight before others board, and keep doors closed while moving.
- Seat belts, where fitted, must be worn. Assist elderly passengers and persons with disabilities.
Emergencies
- If fire is suspected, stop safely off the carriageway, switch off the engine, open the exits and evacuate passengers away from the vehicle and upwind.
- Use the extinguisher only on a small fire you can safely approach. Never open a bonnet fully if the fire is underneath.
- Account for passengers at a safe assembly point, give first aid and call the emergency services.
- Break glass only at the marked emergency window points.
Worked example
Smoke comes from under the dashboard. The driver stops clear of traffic, switches off the engine, evacuates everyone through the doors and moves them upwind. He does not let passengers return for bags. He uses the extinguisher only after everyone is out and the fire is small. The reasoning: life safety first, property second, and smoke can become flashover in seconds.
Traps that cost marks
Allowing passengers to collect luggage during an evacuation; opening a hot bonnet fully; and treating overloading as a revenue issue rather than a safety and legal one.