North Macedonia Bus Theory D key terms

A paper disc inserted into an analogue tachograph that continuously records driving time, other work, availability and rest on a rotating chart, so inspectors can reconstruct the driver's daily activity.

The maximum time a driver may spend driving in one day, normally nine hours, extendable to ten hours twice in a working week under the applicable EU and national rules.

An uninterrupted period in which the driver performs no driving or other work, required after a set amount of accumulated driving, typically 45 minutes after four and a half hours, splittable into shorter parts.

The continuous rest a driver must take within each 24-hour period, normally at least eleven hours, which may be reduced to nine hours a limited number of times.

A longer uninterrupted rest taken each week, normally at least 45 continuous hours, which may in certain cases be reduced and compensated by an equivalent period taken later.

Rest taken later to make up for a reduced daily or weekly rest period; it must be attached to another rest period of at least nine hours and taken before a set deadline.

Any activity other than driving, such as loading, paperwork, vehicle checks or waiting that the driver is required to perform, recorded separately from driving and rest on the tachograph.

Time when the driver must remain at the workplace ready to take up work but is not actively working, for example waiting at a border or riding as a passenger on a ferry.

A regular daily rest period that may be interrupted by a ferry or train crossing, provided the interruption is short and the driver has access to a bunk or couchette.

A written or digital record the driver adds to the tachograph to account for periods when the equipment was not recording, such as before inserting the card or during a breakdown.

A personal smart card inserted into a digital tachograph that identifies the driver and stores their driving, work, availability and rest data for inspection and download.

The number of seated and, where permitted, standing passengers a bus is approved to carry, which is stated in the vehicle documents and must never be exceeded.

A passenger travelling while on their feet in the designated standing area of a bus; permitted only where the vehicle is approved for it and only up to the stated capacity.

The official certificate identifying a vehicle and its registered owner, and stating technical data such as mass, seating capacity and permitted use, which the driver must carry or present when required.

A document confirming that a vehicle has passed the periodic technical inspection and meets safety and emission requirements for use on public roads.

A systematic check of tyres, brakes, lights, steering, fluids, doors, emergency exits and safety equipment carried out before departure to confirm the bus is fit for the journey.

The depth of the grooves in a tyre tread; it must stay above the legal minimum to maintain grip, especially on wet roads, and is checked during the pre-trip inspection.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when a layer of water builds between them, causing loss of steering and braking; risk rises with speed, worn tyres and standing water.

The gap a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead so there is time to stop if it brakes suddenly; it should grow with speed, load, rain, darkness and reduced visibility.

A simple method of judging following distance by counting the seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed point and your own vehicle reaching it; at least two seconds are needed in good conditions.

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops; it grows with speed and mass and is much longer for a loaded bus on a wet road.

The area around a bus that the driver cannot see directly or in the mirrors; it is large on buses, so mirrors and careful observation are essential before turning or changing lane.

Looking in the vehicle's mirrors before moving off, turning, changing lane, opening doors or reversing, to detect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in the blind spots.

A road user at higher risk of injury in a collision, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and elderly people, who need extra care and space from a bus driver.

A marked section of road where pedestrians have priority; drivers must approach slowly, be ready to stop and never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at the crossing.

A pedestrian crossing marked by broad white stripes on the road; pedestrians on or about to enter it have priority, and stopping or parking on it is prohibited.

Painted lines, arrows, symbols and areas on the road surface that regulate traffic, show lanes and priorities, and supplement the meaning of road signs.

A solid painted line along the centre or edge of the carriageway that must not be crossed, indicating that overtaking or changing lane at that point is prohibited.

A rule or sign forbidding a driver from passing another vehicle, for example at crossings, on bends with limited visibility or where a solid line and sign indicate no overtaking.

A category of road signs with a shared shape and colour scheme, such as warning, regulatory, information and priority signs, each conveying a distinct type of instruction.

A triangular sign, usually with a red border, that alerts drivers in advance to a hazard such as a bend, junction, crossing or slippery road, so they can adjust speed.

A sign, typically round with a red border or blue background, that imposes a prohibition or obligation, such as a speed limit, no entry or mandatory direction.

A marked door, window or roof hatch on a bus intended for rapid evacuation in an emergency; it must be unobstructed, clearly marked and explained to passengers.

A portable device carried on the bus for fighting small fires; the driver must know its location, check it is charged and in date, and know how to use it safely.

Short instructions given to passengers before or at the start of a journey covering seat belts, emergency exits, fire extinguisher location and behaviour rules for a safe trip.

The legal requirement for the driver and, where fitted, passengers to wear seat belts throughout the journey; the driver is responsible for ensuring passengers are informed and comply.

The safe sequence of stopping close to the kerb, checking mirrors, warning passengers and only then opening the doors, to prevent people stepping into passing traffic.

A handhold fitted near doors, steps and standing areas so passengers can steady themselves when boarding, moving inside or leaving the bus, especially when it starts or stops.

A deployable ramp or kneeling function that lowers the bus step so wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and those with limited mobility can board and alight safely.

Seats near the doors reserved for elderly, pregnant, disabled passengers and those with children, which other passengers must give up when needed.

A written account completed after an accident, near miss or passenger injury, recording time, place, people involved, witnesses and actions taken, for authorities and the operator.

Contacting the emergency services by phone, giving the exact location, number of casualties, hazards and vehicle details clearly and staying on the line until told to end the call.

The first step at any incident: stopping safely, switching off the engine, warning other traffic and removing danger before helping casualties or moving anyone.

A stable side-lying position used for an unconscious person who is breathing, keeping the airway open and allowing fluids to drain while waiting for help.

The stocked box of dressings, bandages, gloves and other supplies carried on the bus for treating injuries before professional help arrives; it must be complete and in date.

A driving style using smooth acceleration, early gear changes, steady speed and anticipation to cut fuel use and emissions while reducing wear on the vehicle.

Leaving the engine running while the bus is stationary; it wastes fuel, produces unnecessary emissions and noise, and should be avoided during longer stops.

Pollutants and greenhouse gases released from the vehicle's exhaust, including nitrogen oxides, particulates and carbon dioxide, which are reduced by good maintenance and eco-driving.

A device in the exhaust system that traps soot particles from diesel engines; it needs periodic regeneration at suitable running temperature to avoid clogging and excess smoke.

Reading the road well ahead, predicting what other road users may do and adjusting speed and position early, which smooths driving, saves fuel and prevents sudden braking.