UK PCV Bus Theory Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q1A police officer stops a bus driver and requests production of their driving licence and Driver Qualification Card (DQC). The driver does not have them in the vehicle. The officer issues a HORT/1 form. Within what timeframe must the driver produce these documents at a police station?
✓ Correct answer: D. 7 days
If a driver cannot produce their documents at the roadside, they are typically issued a HORT/1 form (commonly known as a 'producer'). This legally requires the driver to present the specified documents at a police station of their choice within 7 days. Failure to do so is an offence.
Q2A driver's current DQC is valid until September 2026. They complete their required 35 hours of periodic training in June 2025, which is 15 months before the current card expires. When will the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issue the new DQC?
✓ Correct answer: A. Nearer the current expiry date
When periodic training is completed more than 12 months before the expiry of the current card, the new DQC is not issued immediately. Instead, it is issued nearer to the expiry date of the current card to ensure the driver receives it just before the new validity period begins.
Q3During a roadside inspection, a driver does not have a hard copy of their insurance certificate. They offer to show the officer the certificate on their smartphone via their employer's web portal. Why might this be considered insufficient?
✓ Correct answer: C. It may not satisfy legal production rules
An officer may require a certificate to be produced in a specific way for offline verification or retention. Relying on a temporary view of an online portal may not meet the strict legal requirement to 'produce' the document if the officer cannot retain it.
Q4A driver's DQC expired on the 10th of the month. They are stopped at a roadside check on the 15th of the same month. Using standard exclusive counting (excluding the expiry date itself), for how many days has the card been invalid?
✓ Correct answer: E. 5 days
To calculate the number of days the card has been invalid using exclusive counting, subtract the expiry date from the current date: 15 - 10 = 5 days. This accounts for the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th as the days of invalidity.
Q5A professional driver is stopped and found to be driving a bus without a valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and is unable to produce their driving licence. What is the likely immediate penalty for the DQC offence?
✓ Correct answer: B. A fixed penalty notice
Driving a professional vehicle without a valid DQC is an offence that can result in a fixed penalty notice. While not carrying a licence is also an issue (usually handled via a 'producer'), the lack of a valid DQC attracts immediate financial penalties or potential prosecution.
Q6A driver loses their Driver Qualification Card (DQC). They successfully report the loss to the DVSA and pay the required fee for a replacement. When are they legally permitted to resume professional driving?
✓ Correct answer: D. Immediately upon application
Once a driver has reported their DQC as lost, stolen, or damaged and has applied and paid for a replacement, they are legally allowed to continue driving immediately. They do not need to wait for the physical card to arrive in the post.
Q7You have applied for a replacement Driver Qualification Card (DQC) but it has not arrived. According to DVSA guidance, how many days must you allow for delivery before the card is considered lost in the post?
✓ Correct answer: A. 20 days
The DVSA advises applicants to allow 20 days for a DQC to be delivered. If the card has not arrived after this period, the driver must contact the agency. Reporting it significantly later than this may result in the driver having to pay for another replacement.
Q8A driver is assigned to drive a coach on an international tour. They hold a valid PCV licence and Driver Qualification Card (DQC). However, their passport expires in two months, and the destination country requires at least six months' validity upon entry. What is the legal position?
✓ Correct answer: C. They cannot undertake the journey
Drivers must possess a passport meeting the destination country's validity requirements. Valid driving documents do not override immigration rules. Without a valid passport, the driver cannot legally enter the country. Birth certificates or operator permission cannot bypass these national entry laws.
Q9A qualified mechanic is driving a bus on a public road solely to test the braking system after repairs. The vehicle is not carrying passengers. Which statement is true regarding the Driver Qualification Card (DQC)?
✓ Correct answer: E. A DQC is not required
Driver CPC regulations provide exemptions for vehicles used for non-commercial purposes, such as road-testing by mechanics after repairs. Since this driving is for technical development or repair rather than commercial carriage, a DQC is not required.
Q10A driver completes their final 7 hours of Periodic Training on a Saturday. Their current DQC expires the following day, Sunday. The training provider does not upload the course data until Tuesday. What is the driver's legal status to drive professionally on Monday?
✓ Correct answer: B. They cannot legally drive
Drivers cannot legally drive professionally without a valid DQC. Even if training is completed, the entitlement is not valid until the record is updated. There is no grace period for driving with an expired card while waiting for administrative updates or card issuance.
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