YOUR DRIVING STANDARDS FOR D1 LICENCE

In order to drive a minibus or pcv vehicle safely you will need the following:

• a comprehensive knowledge of the highway code
• a thorough knowledge of the regulations that apply to your work
• a high level of driving skill
• the ability to plan ahead
• hazard perception

You will be taught during these lessons the differences between driving
Larger and smaller vehicles.

Some of these aspects will be obvious from the moment you first start to drive
A larger vehicle, other features will only become apparent as you gain more experience.

Always apply the professional driving techniques explained by your trainer.
Remember you must never allow safety to be put at risk.

NO RISK IS EVER JUSTIFIED

Human error is the main cause of most collisions on the road.
High-quality training should help you avoid making such errors
And reduce the risk of you being involved in accidents.

Sometimes accidents are due to mechanical failure of vehicle
Components. The way you drive can affect the life of these
Components, drivers who demonstrate a high degree of expertise
Reduce the risk of accidents happening. So be responsible for
Driving your vehicle safely and sensibly at all times.

A D1 DRIVER SHOULD CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE
IMAGE BY SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS
TO FOLLOW.
DRIVING LARGE VEHICLES CAN BE VERY ENJOYABLE
EVEN MORE SO WHEN YOU CAN BE PROUD THAT YOU
ARE DOING IT WELL.

DRIVING MINIBUSES

Driving a minibus is often like driving a car however you need to
Be aware that despite power assisted steering and braking, and
Possibly an automatic gearbox it can be more demanding and
Tiring than driving a car.

When driving a minibus you’ll need to think about the following:

• weight
- greater stopping distances are needed
- they’re slower to accelerate and to overtake
- more effect is needed for steering
• height
- there’s greater body roll pitch, and sway
- they’re more susceptible to side winds, etc
• noise levels
- these can be high, especially in van-derived models
- passenger noise can be high and distracting
• speeds
- its more difficult to maintain high average speeds
- when fully laden speeds may be lost rapidly on uphill
Stretches of road

• passenger’s comfort
• distances travelled
- Is the vehicle suitable for long journeys?
- Would the use of a larger vehicle possibly hired with a
Driver is more appropriate?

• time
- plan your journey and estimate realistically how long
It will take
- allow plenty of time for your journey thus putting
Yourself under less stress/pressure

- And lastly taking adequate breaks! .

Never drive for more than four and a half hours without
Taking a break of at least 45minutes, you will find this
Rule and others are legal requirements. To avoid fatigue
It is advisable to have a break after two hours driving.

Ultimately consider carefully before each journey whether:
• you will need someone else to drive
• a second driver is advisable
• remember your professional responsibility to your passengers


DAILY WALK-ROUND CHECKS

A daily walk-round check must be undertaken and should cover:

• brakes
• lights
• tyres
• windscreen wipers and washers
• horn
• mirrors
• speedometer
• Tachograph if fitted
• number plates
• reflectors and reflective plates
• exhaust system
• any coupling gear
• speed limiter
• seatbelts {if fitted}

COCKPIT DRILL

Make these checks for the safety of yourself, your passengers and
Other road users. Every time you get in to your vehicle check that:

• the driving seat is correctly adjusted, so that you can sit with
A correct posture, reach all controls

• all interior and exterior mirrors are clean and correctly adjusted
• gauges and warning systems are working properly
• the parking brake is applied
• the gear selector is in neutral {or in park if automatic}
• you have sufficient fuel for your journey
• you’re mobile phone is switched off
• the doors working and are closed before moving off

BEFORE STARTING YOUR JOURNEY MAKE SURE
YOU KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING

• CONTROLS: where they are and how they work
• VEHICLE SIZE: its width and height, and its weight
• HANDLING: the vehicles characteristics
• BRAKES: whether ABS brakes are fitted

IT IS YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE!
TACHOGRAPHS

There are two types of tachograph

• one is manual and is completed by hand
• the other is digital tachograph it converts the signal
Into encrypted electronic data stored in both the vehicle
Unit and the driver card. The vehicle unit records all
Movement as well as the drivers who use it.

There is tachograph training available to those who need
It. And drivers hours which are quiet complex. Please inform
Your instructor if you would to take a course

AWARENESS.

You need to develop your awareness, to know what’s going
On around you at all times. This can be achieved though:

• planning ahead
• anticipating experience will soon tell you what other road
Users are properly going to do next

* being in control, plan your actions, don’t be forced into
Situations by others

• understanding what might happen
• remembering similar situations

You must always drive:

• responsibly
• carefully
• considerately
• courteously
At all times show that standards are high and you can drive a minibus with skill and safety.

ANTICIPATION

There aren’t many excuses for being taken by surprise when your
Driving. Almost every event is predictable to some extent.
You must consider and prepare for all possibilities in all situations
Especially when you can never be completely sure of what other road
Users will do remember you won’t be able to brake or swerve like
Lighter, smaller, vehicles can.

THE VEHICLE CONTROLS WHAT THE TEST REQUIRES:

You must show the examiner that you understand what all the controls
Do and that you can use them:

• smoothly
• correctly
• skilfully
• safety
• and at the right time

In particular, the examiner must be sure that you can properly control
The:

• accelerator
• clutch
• footbrake
• handbrake
• steering
• gears

Of course if your vehicle has automatic transmission some of these
Won’t apply to you but you must;

• understand what the controls do
• be able to use them competently

We will train you to be excellent drivers with help from our experienced trainers
Who will give you an in-depth look into driver’s skills?

HAZARD PERCEPTION

We will be showing you how for example:

• to drive along doing a commentary
• hazard identifying
• anticipation
• awareness
• a hazard perception test

FIRST AID

As a professional driver you are encouraged to take some first aid training
It could save a life there are courses available please speak to your trainer,
He or she will advise on all ongoing courses available to you. It is a requirement
For your vehicle to carry a first aid kit on any journey you make.

TODAYS ACCIDENTS ARE DOWN TO DRIVER BEHAVIOUR

The graph below gives indication to where many of our problems exist. Watch out for signs and warnings and remember if you ignore them you could put you and your passengers at risk, if there is an accident your passengers could be injured which could leave you open to prosecution.

DO NOT TAKE RISKS

LIFTS, RAMPS AND DISABLED SYSTEMS
COURSES

We operate specialist courses for this to makes sure you’re thoroughly trained in the safe use of passenger’s lifts, ramps and securing devices. If you drive a vehicle fitted with this equipment never let untrained people operate it. Watch out for the safety of others at all times. Some buses are equipped with air or hydraulic systems that allow the step level to be higher or lower. This improves access for disabled or elderly passengers.
It is essential that we can thoroughly train you in such systems and are aware of safe operation. We have course available please contact us for further details.

TOWING TRAILERS

Considerable care is needed when towing a trailer, especially when reversing. Extensive training and practice are strongly advised and recommended when you
Tow a trailer makes sure that:

• access to emergency exits aren’t obstructed
• you know and comply with the speed limits that apply to
Vehicles towing trailers

• you don’t carry passengers in the trailer

* Any unattended trailer is a road hazard especially at night or in poor visibility (such as foggy conditions).

New EC regulations are now in force covering the towing of trailers by motor vehicles. When uncoupling a trailer select a suitable site, it should be safe and on firm and level ground , and making sure the trailer handbrake before commencing the handbrake procedure. We will give extensive help on our courses, please speak to your trainer about an available course.

E very time you move off do so smoothly-avoid harsh acceleration
C hange down to the appropriate gear, but wait while speed decreases.
O n acceleration try to skip gears where you can.
N ever leave it to chance- maintain your vehicle in good condition.
O bserve and keep within the tachometer green zone, if one is fitted.
M inimise brake use – plan ahead and keep monitoring road conditions.
Y our top speed should remain constant - think (gear high-rev low).

CONCLUSION

Minibuses have developed rapidly over the past decade or so. Modern vehicles are fitted with smart engines and thinking gearboxes, and the driver is surrounded by all manner of electronic circuitry to make the job easier, less stressful and often more enjoyable.
We at the school strive to teach you every aspect of the skills you will need to conquer today’s busy roads, you will be taught to the highest level for today’s standards, it’s in your own interest to keep
Up to date with changes in requirements as they occur,
Ignorance is no defence in the law! Driving is a life skill that’s needs
Constant practice and revision we at (a pass 4 you) take great strides in up-dating our instructors and taking courses ourselves
To be at the top of our tree, so you can be at the top of yours.