Boarding, Alighting, Doors and Passenger Stops
Safe stop positioning, parking brake, doors, steps, platform observation and moving off only when passengers are clear and settled.
How to prepare for DVSA PCV Part 1
Apply passenger-vehicle thinking to every rule: check the saloon and exterior, protect boarding passengers and blind areas, drive smoothly, and keep hours and CPC duties in the correct stage.
Core concepts
Concept 1
The vehicle should stop where passengers can board or leave safely with the smallest practicable gap.
Exam cue: Approach stops slowly enough to protect waiting people and avoid harsh braking.
Concept 2
The parking brake is applied before boarding or alighting and doors must not open while the vehicle is moving.
Exam cue: Allow extra time for children, older people and anyone with reduced mobility.
Concept 3
The driver must check the platform, mirrors and blind areas before closing doors and moving away.
Exam cue: Move only when doors are secure and no person or object is trapped or endangered.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Moving while a passenger is still finding a seat or handhold.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Closing doors from a single incomplete view.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Stopping where kerbs, street furniture or traffic make boarding unsafe.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Memory anchors
Stop for Safe Access
The vehicle should stop where passengers can board or leave safely with the smallest practicable gap.
Brake Before Doors
The parking brake is applied before boarding or alighting and doors must not open while the vehicle is moving.
Platform Clear
The driver must check the platform, mirrors and blind areas before closing doors and moving away.
Gentle Approach
Approach stops slowly enough to protect waiting people and avoid harsh braking.
Extra Boarding Time
Allow extra time for children, older people and anyone with reduced mobility.
Doors Secure Then Move
Move only when doors are secure and no person or object is trapped or endangered.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
How should a bus driver approach a stop where several people are waiting near the kerb?
Why should the driver signal in good time before pulling into a passenger stop?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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