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100+ Free UK PCV Theory Practice Questions

Pass your UK PCV Bus and Coach Driver CPC Part 1 Theory Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: UK PCV Theory Exam

100

Part 1a Multiple-Choice Questions

GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1

1h 55m

Part 1a Time Limit

GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1

85/100

Part 1a Pass Mark

GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1

£26

Part 1a Fee

GOV.UK driving test costs

19 clips / 20 hazards / 67/100

Part 1b Hazard Perception Context

GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1

2 years

Theory Certificate Validity

GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1

DVSA Driver CPC part 1a for PCV bus and coach drivers has 100 multiple-choice questions, a 1 hour 55 minute time limit, and an 85/100 pass mark. GOV.UK lists the part 1a fee as £26. Part 1b hazard perception is separate: 19 clips, 20 developing hazards, and a 67/100 pass mark. The theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from the first part passed.

Sample UK PCV Theory Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your UK PCV Theory exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Before taking a bus into service, what is the main purpose of the daily walkaround check?
A.To confirm the vehicle is safe and roadworthy before the journey
B.To make the outside of the vehicle look presentable
C.To estimate how many passengers will board during the shift
D.To replace the operator's scheduled maintenance inspections
Explanation: A PCV driver is responsible for making sure the vehicle is safe to drive before the journey starts. The walkaround check is a practical safety check and defects must be recorded and reported through the operator's system.
2During a walkaround check, you find a dangerous defect in the braking system. What should you do?
A.Drive slowly to the depot and report it at the end of the shift
B.Carry passengers only on roads with low speed limits
C.Report it and do not continue until the defect has been fixed
D.Ignore it if the parking brake still holds the vehicle
Explanation: A dangerous defect must be reported and fixed before the vehicle continues in service. Continuing with passengers in a bus or coach that is unsafe exposes passengers, the driver, and other road users to unacceptable risk.
3What should you check about the windscreen and mirrors before driving a coach?
A.That the front view is clear and mirrors or camera systems are secure and usable
B.That the windscreen has no official stickers anywhere on it
C.That only the nearside mirror is adjusted because the vehicle keeps left
D.That tinting is dark enough to reduce glare for passengers
Explanation: The driver's view must not be seriously obstructed, and mirrors or approved camera systems must be secure, correctly adjusted, and working. A PCV has significant blind spots, so reliable mirrors are essential.
4Which tyre condition would make a PCV unsafe to use?
A.A tyre inflated to the operator's specified pressure
B.A tyre with visible cord or a deep sidewall cut
C.A tyre valve cap fitted correctly
D.A tyre with a clean tread pattern
Explanation: Visible cord or a deep sidewall cut is a serious tyre defect and must be reported. PCV tyres must also be secure, correctly inflated, and have at least the legal tread depth.
5Why must emergency exits and their markings be checked before carrying passengers?
A.They help passengers find a safe way out if normal doors cannot be used
B.They are only needed to improve the appearance of the vehicle
C.They allow extra standing passengers to travel near the exit
D.They let the driver avoid checking the main passenger doors
Explanation: Emergency exits, markings, and lighting are safety-critical because passengers may need them in a fire, collision, or other emergency. The driver should confirm that exits open properly and are not obstructed.
6What should you do if your bus has a wheelchair ramp or lift?
A.Assume passengers will know how to use it without help
B.Check it is in good condition and know how to operate it safely
C.Use it only during annual inspection
D.Leave it stowed even when a wheelchair user needs to board
Explanation: Accessibility equipment must be checked as part of the vehicle's safety and service readiness. A driver should know how the ramp or lift works and must make sure it is safe before helping a passenger use it.
7During a pre-service check, what is the correct approach to a fire extinguisher on a bus?
A.It only needs checking after it has been used
B.It should be the correct type, accessible, in good condition, and not discharged
C.It should be locked away where passengers cannot see it
D.It may be missing if the journey is short
Explanation: Fire equipment must be present where required, accessible, suitable, and ready to use. A discharged or inaccessible extinguisher is not useful in an emergency.
8Why should the height marker in the cab be checked before driving a double-deck bus or coach?
A.It tells passengers how much luggage they can carry
B.It helps the driver avoid low bridges and other height restrictions
C.It sets the vehicle's speed limiter
D.It proves that all tyres are correctly inflated
Explanation: Knowing the vehicle height is essential when planning routes and approaching bridges, canopies, trees, and other overhead hazards. The in-cab height marker helps the driver compare the vehicle with signed restrictions.
9What should be recorded after a daily walkaround check if no defects are found?
A.Nothing, because a blank form means everything is safe
B.A nil-defect record using the operator's system
C.Only the driver's start time
D.Only the route number
Explanation: A nil-defect record shows the check was actually carried out and that no defects were found. This protects passengers and supports the operator's maintenance and roadworthiness records.
10While checking the passenger saloon, you find a loose grab rail near the door. Why is this important?
A.It may reduce the fuel economy of the vehicle
B.It could cause passengers to fall or make boarding and alighting unsafe
C.It only matters if the bus is due for MOT that day
D.It is only a problem on motorways
Explanation: Handrails, grab rails, and stanchions help passengers keep their balance while boarding, standing, and moving through the vehicle. A loose fitting is a passenger safety defect and should be reported.

About the UK PCV Theory Exam

The UK PCV Bus and Coach Driver CPC Part 1 theory test is the DVSA multiple-choice and hazard-perception theory stage for prospective bus, coach, and minibus professional drivers. Part 1a gives candidates 1 hour 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions, with an 85 out of 100 pass mark. Part 1b is booked separately and uses 19 hazard-perception video clips containing 20 scorable developing hazards, with a 67 out of 100 pass mark.

Assessment

Driver CPC part 1 has two separately booked theory parts: part 1a multiple-choice and part 1b hazard perception.

Time Limit

1 hour 55 minutes

Passing Score

85 out of 100

Exam Fee

£26 for Driver CPC part 1a multiple-choice questions (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA))

UK PCV Theory Exam Content Outline

High

Vehicle Checks and Roadworthiness

Daily walkaround checks, roadworthiness, brakes, tyres, mirrors, doors, emergency exits, defect reporting, fire equipment, height markers, lights, leaks, AdBlue, and alternative-fuel systems.

High

Passenger Safety and Management

Boarding and alighting, safe stops, smooth driving, vulnerable passengers, passenger movement, disruptive behaviour, medical incidents, and safe customer service.

Medium

Accessibility and Vulnerable Passengers

Wheelchair boarding, ramps and lifts, wheelchair spaces and restraints, priority seats, assistance dogs, route displays, stop buttons, and accessible vehicle features.

Medium

Bus Lanes, Stops, Signs, and Route Hazards

Bus lane signs, bus stops and lay-bys, cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings, box junctions, stop signs, low bridges, temporary diversions, and local bus restrictions.

High

Speed, Space, and Vehicle Control

PCV speed limits, following distance, stopping distances, bends, wind, lane discipline, mirrors, blind spots, reversing, turning, and speed limiters.

Medium

Drivers' Hours, Tachographs, and Fatigue

High-level GB domestic, assimilated, and AETR rules, tachograph records, driver cards, breaks, other work, daily driving limits, spreadover, and fatigue risk.

Medium

Incidents, Emergencies, Professionalism, and Environment

Breakdowns, fires, collisions, smoke, flooding, mobile phones, driver fitness, professional conduct, eco-driving, idling, and hazard-perception concepts.

How to Pass the UK PCV Theory Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 85 out of 100
  • Assessment: Driver CPC part 1 has two separately booked theory parts: part 1a multiple-choice and part 1b hazard perception.
  • Time limit: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Exam fee: £26 for Driver CPC part 1a multiple-choice questions

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

UK PCV Theory Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with GOV.UK Driver CPC part 1 logistics so you know the 100-question, 1 hour 55 minute, 85/100 structure.
2Study The Highway Code and Know your traffic signs alongside bus and coach-specific DVSA material; many PCV questions combine general road rules with passenger-vehicle risk.
3Practise daily walkaround scenarios until defects, emergency exits, doors, tyres, mirrors, accessibility equipment, and defect reporting feel automatic.
4Learn drivers' hours at a high level: know that route type, route distance, passenger seats, and domestic or international operation can change the rule set.
5Use hazard-perception practice to train early observation; in a large passenger vehicle, early smooth response is safer than late harsh braking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the UK PCV Driver CPC part 1a test?

GOV.UK says the Driver CPC part 1a multiple-choice test has 100 questions. Candidates have 1 hour 55 minutes and must score at least 85 out of 100 to pass.

How much does the UK PCV theory multiple-choice test cost?

GOV.UK lists Driver CPC part 1a, the theory multiple-choice questions test, at £26. Driver CPC part 1b hazard perception is booked separately and GOV.UK lists it at £11.

What is on the PCV hazard perception test?

Driver CPC part 1b has 19 video clips. Each clip contains at least one developing hazard, and one clip contains two, making 20 scorable hazards. The pass mark is 67 out of 100.

How long is the Driver CPC theory certificate valid?

After passing both part 1a and part 1b, the theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when the first part was passed. Candidates must pass the relevant driving tests within that period or pass part 1 again.

What official resources should I study for the PCV theory test?

GOV.UK points candidates to The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs, and The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Buses and Coaches. DVSA and GOV.UK also publish bus and coach daily walkaround, accessibility, hazard perception, and drivers' hours guidance.