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PCV Theory Test Practice (Bus and Coach) 2026

The bus and coach theory test is the first step to a PCV licence in Great Britain, and is also Driver CPC part 1. The first practice set covers passenger-carrying topics. Later sets add shared large-vehicle topics such as tachographs, braking and incidents. Hazard perception is a separate part and is not covered here.

  • Commercial vehicle
  • United Kingdom
  • 200 questions
  • Checked October 10, 2026

Quick answer

The Bus and coach (PCV) theory test (Great Britain) has 100 questions. Pass mark: 85 of 100 in the multiple-choice part, and 67 of 100 in hazard perception. Time limit: 115 minutes. It is run by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Practise here for free with 200 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 10, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the PCV Theory Test Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which licence category lets you drive a vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats, with a trailer up to 750 kg?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Category D

    Category D covers buses with more than 8 passenger seats and a trailer up to 750 kg.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What does a Category D1 licence cover?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Up to 16 passengers plus the driver, no more than 8 metres long

    D1 covers minibuses with up to 16 passenger seats and a length of up to 8 metres, towing up to 750 kg.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which category do you need to tow a trailer over 750 kg behind a Category D bus?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Category DE

    Category DE allows a Category D vehicle with a trailer over 750 kg.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    How many questions are in the multiple-choice part of the bus and coach (PCV) theory test?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 100

    The multiple-choice part has 100 questions, with 1 hour 55 minutes to answer them.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which DVSA book is recommended for the bus and coach theory test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The DVSA Guide to Driving Buses and Coaches

    Revise with The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and the DVSA guide to driving buses and coaches.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    A bus driver works a regular local service on a route of 30 km. Which drivers' hours rules normally apply?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. GB domestic rules

    Regular passenger services on routes up to 50 km follow GB domestic rules.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    A coach with 49 seats is on a private hire excursion. Which drivers' hours rules normally apply?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Assimilated (or AETR) rules

    Non-regular services in vehicles with 9 or more seats follow assimilated or AETR rules.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    What route length is the dividing line between GB domestic and assimilated rules for regular bus services?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 50 km

    Regular services on routes up to 50 km use GB domestic rules. Longer regular services in 9+ seat vehicles use assimilated rules.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules for buses and coaches, what is the daily driving limit?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 10 hours

    GB domestic rules allow up to 10 hours of driving per working day.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules for buses and coaches, what is the maximum spread-over of a working day?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 16 hours

    No more than 16 hours may pass between starting and finishing work, including non-driving time.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules, your working day is under 8 hours 30 minutes. When must you take a break of at least 30 minutes?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. After 5 hours 30 minutes of driving

    Take a break of 30 minutes or more after 5 hours 30 minutes of driving.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules for buses, what is the normal daily rest between working days?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 10 hours

    You need at least 10 hours of rest between working days.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules for buses, how often may daily rest be reduced to 8 hours 30 minutes?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Up to 3 times a week

    Daily rest can be reduced to 8.5 hours up to 3 times a week.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules for buses, how much weekly rest must you take?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least one 24-hour period off duty every 2 weeks

    You need at least one 24-hour off-duty period in every 2 weeks.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Under GB domestic rules, you drive a bus for less than 4 hours every day in a week. What applies?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You are exempt from the GB domestic rules for that week

    If you drive less than 4 hours a day in a week, the rules do not apply to you that week.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Your working day as a bus driver is 8 hours 30 minutes or more. Which break pattern meets GB domestic rules?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 45 minutes off driving in the first 8 hours 30 minutes, then a 30-minute break

    With longer working days, you can take 45 minutes off driving in the first 8.5 hours plus a 30-minute break, or a 30-minute break after 5.5 hours of driving.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    On an international coach trip under the assimilated rules, a weekly rest can start after up to how many 24-hour periods?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 12

    Coach drivers on an international trip may start their weekly rest after up to 12 consecutive 24-hour periods.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    A non-commercial minibus with 12 seats is used only for non-commercial journeys. Which drivers' hours rules normally apply?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. GB domestic rules

    GB rules apply instead of assimilated rules for vehicles with 10 to 17 seats used only for non-commercial journeys.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the motorway speed limit for a coach not more than 12 metres long?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 70 mph

    Buses, coaches and minibuses up to 12 metres may do 70 mph on motorways.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What is the motorway speed limit for a coach more than 12 metres long?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 60 mph

    Buses and coaches over 12 metres long are limited to 60 mph on motorways.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    What is the national speed limit for a bus or coach on a single carriageway?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 50 mph

    Buses, coaches and minibuses are limited to 50 mph on single carriageways.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the national speed limit for a bus or coach on a dual carriageway?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 60 mph

    Buses, coaches and minibuses are limited to 60 mph on dual carriageways.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    You drive a coach over 7.5 tonnes built for more than 8 passengers. When may you use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only in the special cases the Code allows, such as lane closures

    Rule 265: these passenger vehicles must not use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway, except in the stated cases.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    On a coach with seat belts fitted, which passengers must by law wear them?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Passengers aged 14 and over

    Passengers aged 14 and over must wear seat belts in buses and coaches where they are fitted.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    On a coach with seat belts, how must passengers be told to wear them?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. By an announcement, a video, or signs at each seat

    The driver, operator or another person must tell passengers, for example by announcement, video or signs at each seat.

What to know before the test

  • The multiple-choice part has 100 questions in 1 hour 55 minutes, and you need 85 to pass. Hazard perception has 19 clips with a pass mark of 67 out of 100.
  • Category D covers vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats. D1 covers vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats and up to 8 metres long.
  • Regular bus services on routes up to 50 km follow GB domestic drivers' hours rules. Tours and private hire in vehicles with 9 or more seats follow assimilated rules.
  • Under GB domestic rules, bus drivers may drive up to 10 hours a day, with a spread-over of no more than 16 hours.
  • Buses and coaches up to 12 metres long may do 70 mph on motorways; longer ones are limited to 60 mph.
  • On coaches with seat belts, passengers aged 14 and over must wear them.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the PCV theory test?

The multiple-choice part has 100 questions in 1 hour 55 minutes. You need 85 to pass.

Is the bus theory test the same as the lorry theory test?

The format is the same, but the bus and coach test includes questions about carrying passengers. Many topics, such as drivers' hours and braking, are shared.

Which drivers' hours rules apply to bus drivers?

It depends on the service. Regular services on routes up to 50 km use GB domestic rules; longer regular services and tours in vehicles with 9 or more seats use assimilated rules.

Do I need Driver CPC to drive a bus?

If you drive a bus or coach professionally, yes. You keep it with 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years.

Sources

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