CBR Bus Theory D cheat sheet

Priority at unsignposted junctions: traffic from the right has right of way (RVV art. 15); this does not apply when leaving an unpaved road, driveway or parking area onto a paved road.

Traffic lights override signs, and signs override general rules. A police officer's directions override traffic lights, signs and all other rules.

Yellow/orange traffic light means stop unless stopping would cause danger; a flashing yellow means the rules for unsignposted junctions apply.

Built-up area (bebouwde kom) begins at the place-name sign and ends at the sign with a diagonal line; within it the default limit is 50 km/h, outside it 80 km/h unless signed otherwise.

Motorways (autosnelweg) default 100 km/h between 06:00 and 19:00 and 130 km/h between 19:00 and 06:00 unless signs show lower limits; autoweg default is 100 km/h.

Mandatory cycle path: mopeds with a combustion engine must use it only where signed; speed pedelecs and light mopeds use the road unless otherwise indicated.

Signs in the B/C/D series: B = prohibition (round, red border), C = mandatory (round, blue), D = priority indication (yellow/red diamond = priority road).

Overtaking on the right is forbidden except with traffic queues in multiple lanes, when the vehicle ahead signals a left turn, or on the right of a tram.

Bus mass limits in the EU: two-axle bus max 18 t, three-axle bus max 25 t (or 26 t for three-axle buses on certain national routes), articulated bus max 28 t.

Minimum tyre tread depth: 1.6 mm for passenger cars, 1.0 mm for vehicles over 3.5 t (buses/lorries); tyre pressure must match the manufacturer's plate.

Air-brake system: a pressure warning below approx. 4.5 bar must trigger an alarm; the parking brake is spring-applied and releases with air pressure, so it fails safe.

Door interlock: the bus must not be able to drive away with a passenger door open; check the door warning lamp and audible alarm before moving off.

Retarder/engine brake must be switched off on slippery surfaces; ABS and ESP must never be switched off.

Pre-trip check (daily): tyres, lights, brakes, steering, mirrors, wipers, warning devices, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, tachograph.

Bus height and width: standard EU max width 2.55 m, max height 4.0 m; know your actual height before passing under bridges or into tunnels.

Mirror adjustment: the driver must see the rear wheels' contact points and the blind spot in front of the bus; bus mirrors are set before departure, not while driving.

Two-second rule: maintain at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead; double to four seconds in rain, at night, or behind a large vehicle.

Stopping distance = perception + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance at 80 km/h is about 22 m at 1 second reaction time.

Braking distance increases with the square of speed: doubling speed quadruples braking distance.

Blind spot: a bus has large blind areas in front, at the right front corner and along the right side; scan mirrors every 5-8 seconds.

Vulnerable road users: children, cyclists and elderly pedestrians need extra following distance and slow approach; anticipate sudden direction changes.

Defensive driving principle: always leave an escape route (space cushion) and assume other road users have not seen you.

In fog, rain or snow: use dipped headlights, reduce speed so you can stop within the visible distance, and never use rear fog lights unless visibility is under 50 m.

Tiredness: after 2 hours of continuous driving take at least a 15-minute break; symptoms include yawning, heavy eyes and drifting.

Daily driving limit: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week. Weekly limit: 56 hours. Two consecutive weeks: max 90 hours.

Continuous driving: after 4.5 hours the driver must take a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 minutes + 30 minutes in that order.

Daily rest: 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours max 3 times between weekly rests; split daily rest = 3 hours + 9 hours.

Weekly rest: 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours; compensation must be taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the reduced rest.

Tachograph: record manual entries for other work, availability and rest; the driver card must be inserted at the start of the shift and removed at the end.

Driver must be able to produce the last 28 days of records plus the current day; enforcement officers may check the previous 56 days.

Ferry/train rule: a daily rest may be interrupted twice by a ferry crossing, each interruption max 1 hour, total max 11 hours.

Weekly rest in a two-week period cannot be taken in the vehicle; a regular weekly rest must be taken outside the cab.

Before departure: close all doors, check the aisle is clear, secure wheelchairs and prams, and confirm standing passengers have handholds.

Wheelchair spaces: brakes applied, wheelchair secured with a 4-point strap system, occupant restrained with a 3-point belt where fitted.

Emergency exits: bus must have at least one emergency door or window per side; hammer for breaking glass is stored next to the marked window.

Evacuation order: stop safely, switch off engine, engage parking brake, open emergency doors, guide passengers out away from traffic, then call 112.

Fire: switch off engine, evacuate upwind, use the extinguisher only on a small fire, never open the engine cover fully if flames are visible.

First aid: DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation); call 112, do not move an injured casualty unless there is immediate danger.

Unconscious but breathing casualty: recovery position; no breathing: start CPR at 100-120 compressions per minute, depth 5-6 cm.

Child passengers: children under 1.35 m must use an approved child restraint; the driver is responsible for ensuring this on a bus where belts are fitted.

EU maximum bus dimensions: width 2.55 m, height 4.0 m, length 12 m for a rigid bus, 18.75 m for an articulated bus, 18.75 m for a bus-and-trailer combination.

Maximum authorised mass: two-axle bus 18 t, three-axle bus 25 t; axle load limits must not be exceeded.

Load must be secured so it cannot shift, fall or obscure lights, mirrors, registration plates or the driver's field of view.

Luggage in the hold: distribute evenly, do not exceed the axle load, and check that the boot door closes and locks.

Roof load and rear-mounted bicycle racks change the vehicle height and rear overhang; recheck the height before entering a tunnel or underpass.

Lighting: buses must have dipped headlights, rear position lights, brake lights, direction indicators, reversing lights and rear reflectors; daytime running lights are mandatory for new vehicles.

Periodic technical inspection (APK) for buses: annually for buses used for passenger transport; the inspection certificate must be carried.

Towing: a broken-down bus must be recovered by a suitable recovery vehicle; the driver may not tow passengers in the bus during recovery.

Scene safety first: switch on hazard lights, place warning triangle at least 30 m behind the vehicle (100 m on motorways), and wear a high-visibility vest.

Call 112 and report: location, number of casualties, type of incident, hazards (fire, fuel, chemicals), and your callback number.

Do not remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless the airway is obstructed; support the head and neck and wait for the ambulance.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing; do not remove an object that is embedded in a wound.

Burns: cool with lukewarm running water for at least 10 minutes; do not remove clothing stuck to the burn.

Shock: lay the casualty flat, raise the legs if no fracture, keep warm, do not give food or drink.

After an incident: exchange details (name, address, insurance, registration), complete the European accident statement, and report to the police if there are injuries.

Recording: note time, location, weather, road conditions and witnesses; photographs of the scene support the insurance claim.