The PCV theory and practical tests

By the end of this topic you can

• You can list the steps to get a provisional bus licence.
• You can name the five Driver CPC tests and the order they are taken in.
• You can describe what happens in the off-road and on-road tests.
• You can explain the pass marks for the theory and case studies tests.
• You can say how to keep your bus licence and Driver CPC valid after passing.

What you need to know and understand

• You need a full car licence before you can apply for a provisional bus licence.
• You apply with form D2 and a D4 medical report completed by a doctor.
• The full Driver CPC is made up of 5 tests: part 1 theory, part 2 case studies, part 3a off-road exercises, part 3b on-road driving and part 4 practical demonstration.
• The multiple-choice theory test has 100 questions in 1 hour 55 minutes, with a pass mark of 85.
• The hazard perception test has 19 video clips and a pass mark of 67 out of 100.
• The on-road test is passed with 12 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
• Professional drivers must do 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years.

Getting your provisional bus entitlement

Start by checking which category you need. D1 covers minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats. D covers any bus with more than 8 passenger seats. If you apply for D or D1 provisional entitlement, you receive D1, D1+E, D and D+E provisional entitlement.

Fill in form D2 and get a doctor to complete the D4 medical examination report. Bus drivers must meet higher medical standards than car drivers, including eyesight. Send both forms and your photocard licence to DVLA. There is no application fee, but the doctor may charge.

The five tests in order

1. Part 1 theory: two sections booked separately, a 100-question multiple-choice test (pass mark 85) and a hazard perception test with 19 clips (pass mark 67 out of 100). The certificate is valid for 2 years from passing the first section.
2. Part 2 case studies: 7 short real-life scenarios on a computer, with 50 questions in total over 1 hour 15 minutes. The pass mark is 40 out of 50.
3. Part 3a off-road exercises: up to 30 minutes, including an S-shaped reverse into a bay. If you are testing with a trailer, you also show uncoupling and recoupling.
4. Part 3b on-road driving: vehicle safety questions, then about 1 hour of road driving including 10 minutes of independent driving. It must be passed within 6 months of part 3a.
5. Part 4 practical demonstration: you are tested on 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus, such as a walkaround vehicle check and dealing with emergencies. You need at least 15 out of 20 in each topic and 80 out of 100 overall.

What examiners look for on the road

On part 3b the examiner watches how you use the controls, move away at an angle, uphill and downhill, carry out a controlled stop, use the mirrors and signal. They also judge how well you anticipate other road users, manage your speed, deal with hazards and choose a safe place to stop. With a long vehicle, that means planning your position early for turns and avoiding clipping kerbs or cutting across cyclists.

You can carry on if you make a mistake. The examiner only stops the test if your driving is a danger to others.

After you pass

You receive a Driver CPC card, which you must carry when driving a bus or coach professionally. To stay qualified, complete 35 hours of training every 5 years and renew your bus licence every 5 years, or every year from age 65. If you lose your car licence, you automatically lose your bus licence too.

In Northern Ireland the tests are run by the DVA rather than DVSA, so check booking and test centre details with the DVA.

Common mistakes

• Booking part 3b before passing part 3a. Part 3a must be passed first, and part 3b within 6 months.
• Revising only from car materials. The case studies are based on the Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and the official DVSA guide to driving buses and coaches.
• Letting the part 1 certificate expire. It lasts 2 years from the first section passed.
• Rushing the vehicle safety questions. Practise explaining and showing each check on the actual test bus.
• Treating the bus like a big car on turns. Examiners expect early positioning and constant mirror checks.

Test yourself: The PCV theory and practical tests

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• DVA Theory Test in Northern Ireland