Environment, economy and defensive driving
What this domain tests
This domain tests economical driving, emissions awareness and defensive techniques that reduce fuel use and crash risk. For a D1 bus, smooth driving also protects standing or seated passengers from falls.
Core rules
- Anticipate: look far ahead, ease off early, and avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. Smoothness saves fuel and improves passenger comfort.
- Use the highest suitable gear and keep engine revs low. Do not coast in neutral; use engine braking on descents.
- Switch off the engine during longer stops where the vehicle is stationary and it is safe to do so. Idling wastes fuel and adds emissions.
- Check tyre pressure regularly; under-inflation increases rolling resistance and tyre wear.
- Remove unnecessary weight and unused roof equipment. Load placement affects aerodynamics and stability.
- Keep a space cushion and a defensive mindset: assume other road users may not see you, especially cyclists and pedestrians near bus stops.
Worked example
At 80 km/h you travel about 22 m per second; at 100 km/h about 28 m per second. Over a two-second gap, the distance grows from roughly 44 m to 56 m, and fuel consumption rises significantly with speed. Reason: a small speed increase costs time, fuel and braking distance. On a scheduled run, steady driving and better planning are safer than speeding to recover delay.
Traps that cost marks
Coasting downhill in neutral; leaving the engine idling for long periods; over-inflating tyres to reduce rolling resistance; and using speed to make up timetable delays, which increases both fuel use and crash risk.