Your passengers should be your first consideration. It's your responsibility to deliver them to their destination safely and on time. You should also treat passengers courteously at all times.

At bus stops, stop close to the kerb, where it's safe and convenient for your passengers to get on and off. Accelerating as you move off can easily unsteady a passenger. Try to wait until all passengers are seated or settled before moving off.

Operators often publicise journeys as being comfortable, convenient and fast. You play an important part in delivering this standard of service.

Your first duty is to your paying customers, who want to reach their destination comfortably and safely. Harsh braking can cause your passengers to be thrown forward on the bus, so avoid this by looking and planning well ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to react to traffic situations.

When approaching hazards or bus stops, you should always be aware of how your passengers will be affected by the change in speed. Late, harsh braking as passengers leave their seats can take them by surprise and cause them to fall towards the front of the bus, possibly injuring themselves or others. Wherever possible, avoid harsh braking by planning ahead, giving yourself time to reduce speed smoothly.

Always look well ahead. Early planning and anticipation will help you avoid the need to brake harshly. It's important that you give your passengers a smooth journey, especially if any of them are having to stand.

A smooth ride at all times is not always easy to achieve. However, scanning ahead for hazards will help you avoid late braking and cornering too fast.

If you're approaching a set of traffic lights and you can see they've been on green for a while, be prepared for them to change. Ease off the accelerator and be ready to come to a gradual stop if you need to. Do not try to beat the red light; it may change as you come closer, causing you to brake late and harshly. Think of your passengers.

Passengers are very vulnerable when they're standing in a moving vehicle. Inconsiderate use of the footbrake can easily cause them injury - especially if you have children or older people on board. Some passengers may not wait until you've stopped before leaving their seat. If you seem to be in a hurry, they may even leave their seat early because they do not want to feel responsible for holding you up.

Turning corners or travelling around bends too quickly will push passengers towards the outside of the bend. In addition, the weight of the passengers being transferred to one side of the vehicle will make the bus even more unstable. This will make steering out of the bend more difficult.

Thinking and planning well ahead will help you to deal competently and safely with hazards and other road users. A safe, comfortable ride, even when you're under pressure, will be appreciated by your passengers.

Check your nearside external and internal mirrors before you move away, in case anyone is attempting to board or leave your vehicle. Always give passengers time to be seated safely before you move away.

As the driver of a bus, you may be responsible for several passengers at any given time. If a situation occurs where you have to brake or steer harshly, your passengers could be thrown about the vehicle. In these circumstances, there's a significant risk of injury from fittings on board, such as luggage racks, handrails and poles. If seat belts are provided for passengers, they should wear them.

Every bus must carry a fire extinguisher. Make sure that you know where it's located and how to use it, so that you're fully prepared in the event of a fire.

It's essential to know the location of first-aid equipment, the fuel cut-off device and the fire extinguisher on every bus that you drive. Take time to familiarise yourself with their location whenever you drive a different vehicle. When you take your PCV test, you'll be asked questions on safety.

A person carrying a white stick or a long white cane may be visually impaired. If the stick has a red ring or red-and-white checks painted on it, they also have impaired hearing. Be prepared to help if they appear to need it, or if they ask for assistance.

Nobody likes to be late, but you should not let the pressure of your timetable make you feel you have to rush people. Being pleasant to your passengers and showing them some common courtesies will encourage them to use your service again.

You're a representative of your company, so showing passengers that their custom is appreciated will encourage them to travel with you again.

Passengers who are hard of hearing may want to lip read. Make sure that they're able to see your face clearly when you speak to them.

A kneeling bus uses air suspension to lower the front entrance, giving easier access for passengers. This is especially helpful for people who have difficulty climbing steps, are disabled or use wheelchairs. Make sure you're properly trained to use this equipment.

If you're carrying children on your vehicle and it’s not on a scheduled route used by the general public, the bus must display this sign to the front and rear. When carrying children to and from school, it's likely that you'll have to make several stops in places other than recognised bus stops. Think carefully before you stop. Do not cause unnecessary inconvenience to other road users.

You may be driving in the rush hour, when traffic is heavy, so when you stop you're permitted to show your hazard warning lights. This will tell other road users that children are getting on and off the bus. Look out for passing traffic and make sure that all your passengers get on and off safely.

Passenger safety should be your priority. You should take every precaution to make sure they're out of danger.

Passengers should be able to move about the vehicle in safety. You should make sure that all interior lights are in working order before you start your journey.

Fire can spread extremely quickly. Your priority is the safety of your passengers: you must get them off the bus straight away. If at all possible, disconnect electrical lines and cut off the fuel supply. Fire can destroy a vehicle very quickly.

Some buses are equipped with air or hydraulic systems that allow the step level to be lowered. These are known as kneeling buses and have been designed to allow people to board more easily. Do not forget to raise the step again before moving off.

Passengers need a properly lit area so they can move around safely.

Always check your nearside mirror before moving away. A passenger may be attempting to open the door to board the bus, or running to jump aboard an open platform. Also check for passengers trying to get off the bus as you move away.

Try to wait until your passengers have sat down before you move off. This is even more important if they're elderly or have difficulty walking. Offer help when you think it might be needed - and remember, a smile goes a long way.

Buses carrying schoolchildren must display a distinctive yellow reflective sign on the front and rear, unless they're running a scheduled service for the general public. Buses displaying the sign are permitted to use hazard warning lights when they've stopped for schoolchildren to get on or off.

If passengers have access to your coach, it must never be left unattended. In particular, they must not be able to get into the cab area of the vehicle. You or another responsible person must always be there to supervise the coach.

When driving high-sided vehicles, such as double-deck buses, changes in the road camber can affect your vehicle. As the bus leans towards the kerb, there's a risk that shop awnings, trees and street furniture, such as lampposts, could strike the top deck.

Your vehicle will handle very differently when it's full, compared with when it's empty. Having 75 passengers on board would increase the weight of the bus by about 5 tonnes - and the passengers may also have luggage. It will take longer to build up speed and the vehicle will be more difficult to stop. Forward planning and controlled braking will be required to allow for this extra weight.

You should also make allowances for any luggage your passengers may bring on board. An average of 2 cases per passenger on a 50-seat coach will add about 1.5 tonnes to the overall weight of your bus or coach.

Vehicles carrying schoolchildren display the 'school bus' sign to alert other drivers to the danger of children crossing the road. As the bus driver, you must make every effort to keep the children safe when boarding or getting off your bus, as well as during their journey with you.

A road that has a steep camber will slope sharply towards the kerb, causing your bus to lean towards the pavement or verge. This brings a risk of collision with objects such as overhanging trees, lampposts and bus-stop roofs.

Always show consideration to passengers, whether they have special needs or not. Try to imagine what assistance you would like if you were in their position.

Make sure that you're fully trained in the safe use of lifts, ramps and securing devices. If you drive a vehicle fitted with this equipment, never let untrained people operate it.

Kneeling buses are equipped with air or hydraulic systems that allow the vehicle body to be lowered. This improves access for disabled and elderly passengers. Remember to return the mechanism to its travelling position before moving off.

The greatest risk to a stationary bus is being hit from behind. Moving your passengers forward could reduce the risk of injury if such a collision occurred.

Even though you've started to drive away, passengers may still try to get off the bus. You should also check your nearside mirror for any passengers trying to get on as you're moving away.

On regular services, traffic congestion can soon put you behind schedule. Nevertheless, you have a responsibility to your passengers at all times not to take shortcuts or jeopardise their safety; for example, by driving off while you're still issuing tickets.

Stop as far to the left as possible on the hard shoulder. Make sure all your passengers have moved as far as possible to the front of the vehicle; this will reduce the risk of injury if a passing vehicle runs into the back of the bus. Use an emergency telephone to call for assistance.

Bus drivers have responsibilities beyond those of other drivers. Your passengers have paid for a service, and they should arrive at their chosen destination safely. Customers are more likely to travel with you again if they receive a safe, courteous and comfortable service.

If you're driving a one-person-operated double-deck bus, you must make sure that you use your internal mirrors. You need to be able to see passengers who are about to descend the stairs. Consider their safety and avoid harsh braking and steering.

You must always be aware of anyone using the stairs. Be particularly careful to avoid any sudden movement, such as when braking or cornering, as this could cause passengers to stumble.

If passengers are not waiting at the bus stop, it can be tempting to stop near where they're standing. This may not be a safe place for your vehicle or for other road users. Be professional and be safe; stop in the correct position.

You should stop as close to the kerb as you can, so that passengers can reach the safety of the pavement without any difficulty.

Make sure that you allow your passengers to get on or off the vehicle safely. If you're unable to stop close to the kerb, do not open the doors until you're sure it's safe. You must take care of your passengers at all times.

Always check your nearside mirror before opening the door to allow passengers to alight. When you've stopped away from the kerb, it's important to warn the passengers to look out for cyclists and to expect a long step down onto the road. Be ready to offer help if they need it.

Passenger safety is your main responsibility. Before you allow them to step down from the bus, you should always check your mirrors to make sure there's nothing approaching that could endanger them.

Passengers may have left their seats early and may be standing up, waiting to get off. Do not brake harshly or open the doors until the vehicle has stopped.

Whenever passengers are on board, the interior lighting must be left on. It may be turned off when the bus is empty.

Under no circumstances should you drive with your passenger door open. An open door invites people to make rash decisions to enter or leave the vehicle as you're about to move away; this can be extremely dangerous.

Air suspension will increase passenger comfort and can also help to reduce wear on road surfaces - which is why it's also known as 'road-friendly suspension'.

Disabled people like to keep their independence. However, if they're having problems, be prepared to offer help.

To prevent drivers from becoming distracted, TV or video equipment must be out of their sight. While passengers are being entertained, they can be sure the driver is concentrating on delivering them safely to their destination.

All new buses and coaches must be easily accessible for disabled passengers. They must have ramps, priority seating and colour-contrasted fittings.

Since 2000, all new buses and coaches must be accessible to people with disabilities. These vehicles must have ramps, priority seating and colour-contrasted handrails and steps.

It's unfortunate, but machinery will sometimes break down despite the best efforts to service it. Do not risk the health and safety of a person with a disability, or other passengers, by struggling to get them on without the proper equipment.

It's illegal for bus and coach operators to discriminate against people with disabilities. You must always make reasonable adjustments to the way that any service is provided. This means that you must allow wheelchair users access to the designated space - unless it's already been taken by another wheelchair user.

All physical contact with children should be avoided except in specific circumstances such as genuine self-defence, a medical emergency, or to prevent a serious offence or threat to anyone's safety.

You should make yourself clearly visible when you're working outside your vehicle and close to moving traffic.

It's a legal requirement that you should make reasonable adjustments to provide for people with disabilities. You should make sure that any ramp or lift is in place and in good working order before leaving the depot.

You will not have failed in your statutory duties if the boarding device breaks down and there's no other means of assisting the passenger.

If a wheelchair space is occupied by standing passengers and luggage, you might not be able to allow a wheelchair user on the bus. This may occur on a bus that's almost full to capacity. You will not have failed in your statutory duties towards the wheelchair user.

A bus driver must never allow their passengers to ride on an open platform. Anyone standing on an open platform is at risk should the driver have to brake harshly, swerve or suddenly change direction.