Passenger transport rules, passenger safety and accessibility
Passenger transport rules, passenger safety and accessibility
This domain tests how you carry passengers lawfully and safely: boarding, seating, standees, luggage, accessibility and behaviour. The exam looks for practical decisions that prevent falls, door injuries and emergency confusion.
Core rules
- Stop only at authorised stops or safe places. Approach slowly, stop close to the kerb, apply the parking brake and only then open doors. Do not move until doors are closed and passengers are seated or holding a handrail where standing is permitted.
- Respect capacity: never exceed seated or standing limits. Keep aisles, doorways and emergency exits clear. Secure luggage and equipment so it cannot move in braking.
- Provide the required assistance to passengers with reduced mobility, wheelchair users and people with children. Deploy the ramp safely, position the wheelchair in the designated space, apply its brakes and secure it as the vehicle requires.
- Give a short safety briefing when needed: exits, fire extinguisher, emergency call point and behaviour. Use clear announcements and make sure passengers know the next stop.
- Seat belts must be used where fitted. Children need appropriate restraint. Priority seats are for those who need them, not general seating.
- Manage unruly passengers calmly; stop the bus in a safe place if safety is at risk. Do not allow smoking, open flames or dangerous goods.
Worked example
A wheelchair user waits at a stop with a high kerb. The driver stops, applies the parking brake, deploys the ramp, asks the passenger whether they need assistance, positions the wheelchair in the marked space, applies the wheelchair brakes, secures it, and confirms the aisle is clear before moving off. The driver does not lift the passenger without consent or leave the ramp unsecured.
Traps
Marks are lost by moving off before passengers sit, blocking the aisle with luggage, treating the wheelchair space as luggage space, and opening doors while still moving. Another trap is assuming a passenger who declines help needs no safety check.