Speed, Stopping, Overtaking and Motorways
Vehicle-specific limits, safe speed, long stopping distance, overtaking length, lane rules, red X signals and high-speed breakdown choices.
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
A legal maximum is not a safe target when passengers, view, surface or traffic require a lower speed.
Exam cue: Identify the nation, vehicle class, road type and signs before choosing a speed.
Concept 2
Overtaking needs enough visible legal space for the entire long vehicle to pass and return safely.
Exam cue: Use an independent view rather than following another large vehicle's overtake.
Concept 3
Motorway lane, red X, joining, leaving and breakdown rules apply according to vehicle and road.
Exam cue: Plan lane changes and exits early so passengers are not exposed to abrupt manoeuvres.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Using car speed assumptions for a bus or coach.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Starting an overtake without a safe return gap.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Entering or remaining in a red-X lane.
Guardrail: Do not apply car or LGV assumptions without checking passenger capacity, accessibility, service type, blind areas and passenger comfort.
Memory anchors
Limit Not Target
A legal maximum is not a safe target when passengers, view, surface or traffic require a lower speed.
Whole-Vehicle Overtake
Overtaking needs enough visible legal space for the entire long vehicle to pass and return safely.
Motorway Rules Apply
Motorway lane, red X, joining, leaving and breakdown rules apply according to vehicle and road.
Nation Vehicle Road
Identify the nation, vehicle class, road type and signs before choosing a speed.
Independent View
Use an independent view rather than following another large vehicle's overtake.
Plan Lanes Early
Plan lane changes and exits early so passengers are not exposed to abrupt manoeuvres.
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
What is the default limit on a lit built-up road in England unless signs show otherwise?
What is the corresponding general built-up default in Scotland unless signs show otherwise?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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