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Ireland Category D Bus Theory Cheat Sheet

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Exam and Licensing

  • Not published of exam
  • test format licence categories learner permits Driver CPC

Passenger Safety

  • Not published of exam
  • bus stops doors and belts accessibility emergency care

Road Rules and Hazards

  • Not published of exam
  • signs and markings speed limits vulnerable users large-vehicle handling

Bus Systems and Roadworthiness

  • Not published of exam
  • walkaround checks tyres and wheels braking systems defect reporting

Professional Driving Rules

  • Not published of exam
  • drivers' hours tachographs CPC stages eco-driving

Quick Facts

  • Test category D Bus Theory Test
  • Covered licences D, DE, D1, D1E
  • Question count 100 multiple-choice questions
  • Time allowed 120 minutes
  • Pass mark 74 correct answers
  • Current fee €72; verify live booking
  • Certificate validity Up to two years
  • Test operator Prometric for RSA
  • CPC relationship Driver CPC Step 1
  • Official weighting Domains not published

Trailer Category Memory EX

  • D carries passengers; E adds heavy trailer.
  • D bus D1 minibus E trailer over 750kg

Category D vs D1 EX

Category D

  • More than eight passengers
  • No eight-metre category cap

Category D1

  • Maximum sixteen passengers
  • Maximum eight metres
  • D1 has passenger and length caps

Category D Test Identity EX

  • Category D test Covers D, DE, D1, D1E
  • Format Computer-based multiple choice
  • Questions 100
  • Pass mark 74 correct
  • Time 120 minutes
  • Fee €72; verify live booking
  • Certificate Valid up to two years
  • Operator Prometric on RSA's behalf
  • Bus Module Test Separate 40-question CPC add-on
  • CPC link Category D is CPC Step 1

Category D vs DE EX

Category D

  • Bus category
  • Trailer maximum 750kg

Category DE

  • Bus combination
  • Trailer exceeds 750kg
  • E marks heavier trailer entitlement

Bus Licence Categories EX

  • Category D More than eight passenger seats
  • Category D1 Maximum sixteen passengers; eight metres
  • Category DE D vehicle; trailer exceeds 750kg
  • Category D1E D1 vehicle; trailer exceeds 750kg
  • MAM Maximum authorised mass
  • Full Category B Required before learning Category D
  • Category D age 24; or 21 with CPC
  • Category D1 age 21
  • Medical standard Group 2 medical report

Category D Test vs BMT EX

Category D test

  • 100 questions
  • Pass 74; 120 minutes

Bus Module Test

  • 40 questions
  • Pass 30; 45 minutes
  • Do not confuse full and add-on

Bus Learner Permit Rules EX

  • Accompaniment Same-category licence held two years
  • Motorways Learner drivers prohibited
  • Trailer towing D and D1 learners prohibited
  • Reward passengers Learners cannot carry for reward
  • L plates Clearly visible front and rear
  • First permit Normally valid two years
  • Group 2 licence Maximum five-year duration
  • Vehicle status Roadworthy, insured, and taxed

Bus Stop Sequence PA

  • Stop, secure, scan, serve, close, scan, start.
  • Stop and secure Scan and serve Close and scan Start smoothly

Safe Bus-Stop Sequence PA

  • Approaching stop → Mirror, signal, slow smoothly
  • Positioning bus → Protect kerbside users
  • Bus fully stopped → Secure before opening
  • Passengers moving → Keep bus stationary
  • Accessibility equipment needed → Follow approved procedure
  • Boarding complete → Check doors and mirrors
  • Rejoining traffic → Check blind spots
  • Route becomes clear → Move away smoothly

Passenger and Door Safety PA

  • Stop approach Slow, smooth, accurately positioned
  • Before opening Stop and secure bus
  • Before moving Doors closed and secure
  • Seat belts Inform passengers when provided
  • Standing passengers Stay within certified capacity
  • Aisles Keep clear throughout journey
  • Heavy luggage Secure in suitable compartment
  • Wheelchair equipment Secure bus; follow approved procedure
  • Passenger illness Stop safely; obtain assistance
  • Smooth control Prevents passenger falls

Roadcraft Sequence RO

  • Mirrors, signal, position, speed, final look.
  • Mirrors Signal Position Speed Look

STOP vs Yield RO

STOP

  • Always stop fully
  • Proceed only when safe

Yield

  • Give way first
  • Stop only when needed
  • STOP requires zero movement

Choose the Legal Bus Speed RO

  • Read road sign → Identify road maximum
  • Standing passengers designed → Cap at 65km/h
  • Seated bus ordinary road → Cap at 80km/h
  • Seated bus motorway → Cap at 100km/h
  • Bus towing trailer → Cap at 80km/h
  • Limits conflict → Choose lower limit
  • Weather reduces grip → Reduce further
  • Visibility becomes limited → Stop within visible distance

Junctions, Lanes, and Markings RO

  • STOP sign Complete stop required
  • Yield sign Give way; stop if needed
  • Yellow box Enter only with clear exit
  • Right-turn exception May wait inside yellow box
  • Amber signal Stop unless unsafe
  • Bus lane Read users and operating times
  • Roundabout Choose lane early; allow off-tracking
  • Left turn Check cyclists before crossing path
  • Garda signals Override traffic signals

Road Limit vs Vehicle Limit RO

Road limit

  • Shown by signs
  • Applies to roadway

Vehicle limit

  • Depends on bus type
  • May be lower
  • Always obey the lower maximum

Bus and Road Speed Limits RO

  • Standing-passenger bus 65km/h maximum all roads
  • Seated bus 80km/h ordinary-road maximum
  • Seated motorway bus 100km/h maximum
  • Seated dual-carriageway bus 100km/h maximum
  • Trailer combination 80km/h maximum all roads
  • Rural local roads Many now 60km/h
  • Road limit Never a target speed
  • Conflicting limits Obey the lower limit
  • Poor conditions Reduce below legal maximum

Large-Bus Handling Hazards RO

  • Off-tracking Rear wheels cut inward
  • Tail swing Rear overhang swings outward
  • Blind spots Mirrors cannot remove every zone
  • Reversing Avoid; otherwise crawl and observe
  • Bends Slow before entering
  • High centre Raises rollover risk
  • Crosswinds Reduce speed; hold extra space
  • Following gap Increase with weight and weather
  • Low bridge Compare sign against actual height

Vulnerable Road User Rules RO

  • Cyclist clearance One metre through 50km/h
  • Faster-zone clearance 1.5 metres above 50km/h
  • Unsafe overtake Wait behind cyclist
  • School area Slow; expect sudden children
  • Bus-stop pedestrian Expect unpredictable movement
  • Left-side cyclist Never turn across unseen rider
  • Pedestrian crossing Approach ready to stop
  • E-scooter Treat as vulnerable road user

Walkaround Scan BU

  • Tyres, wheels, lights, mirrors, doors, exits, brakes.
  • Tyres and wheels Lights and mirrors Doors and exits Brakes and leaks

Walkaround vs CVRT BU

Daily walkaround

  • Pre-use defect check
  • Driver confirms safety

CVRT

  • Periodic roadworthiness test
  • Snapshot at test time
  • CVRT never replaces daily inspection

Pre-Drive Go or No-Go BU

  • Start daily duty → Confirm walkaround completed
  • Tyre damage found → Record and report
  • Loose-wheel signs appear → Withhold bus
  • Brake warning remains → Do not enter service
  • Door interlock fails → Do not carry passengers
  • Exit is obstructed → Clear before service
  • Defect safety unclear → Seek qualified assessment
  • All checks pass → Record and begin safely

Daily Bus Walkaround BU

  • Tyre tread 1.6mm central three-quarters minimum
  • Tyre condition No cuts, bulges, exposed cords
  • Wheel security Check nuts and movement marks
  • Air brakes Build pressure; heed warnings
  • Lights Clean, working, and visible
  • Mirrors and cameras Clean, adjusted, operational
  • Service doors Controls and interlocks operational
  • Emergency exits Marked, working, unobstructed
  • Fluid leaks Investigate and report
  • Safety defect Record, report, withhold vehicle
  • CVRT certificate Never replaces daily checks

Driving Break Rule PR

  • Four-and-half driving needs forty-five minutes break.
  • 4.5 hours 45 minutes 15 then 30

Driving Time vs Working Time PR

Driving time

  • Vehicle-driving activity
  • EU driving limits apply

Working time

  • Includes other duties
  • Separate limits apply
  • Comply with both rule sets

Drivers' Hours Decision Path PR

  • Service is in-scope → Use tachograph correctly
  • Starting recorded work → Insert personal card
  • Previous activity missing → Make manual entry
  • Driving reaches 4.5 hours → Take required break
  • Splitting break → Take 15 then 30
  • Daily driving reaches nine → Check extension availability
  • Weekly total nears 56 → Stop before limit
  • Roadside inspection occurs → Produce required 56-day record

Drivers' Hours and Tachographs PR

  • Continuous driving Maximum 4.5 hours
  • Required break 45 minutes
  • Split break 15 minutes then 30
  • Daily driving Nine hours normally
  • Daily extension Ten hours twice weekly
  • Weekly driving Maximum 56 hours
  • Two-week driving Maximum 90 hours
  • Driver card Personal; never shared
  • Card validity Five years
  • Roadside records Current day plus preceding 56
  • Missing activity Enter manually before driving

Theory Pass vs Full CPC PR

Category D pass

  • CPC Step 1
  • Supports learner permit

Full Driver CPC

  • Four qualification steps
  • Periodic training continues
  • Theory alone does not complete CPC

CPC, Emergencies, and Efficiency PR

  • CPC Step 1 Category D theory test
  • CPC Step 2 Case-study test
  • CPC Step 3 Practical driving test
  • CPC Step 4 Practical walkaround test
  • Periodic CPC One training day yearly
  • Fatigue Stop safely; take effective break
  • Breakdown Warn traffic; protect passengers
  • Bus fire Stop, evacuate, call emergency services
  • Eco-driving Observe early; control smoothly
  • Idling Avoid when safely possible

Common Traps

D Test Is Not BMT

  • D uses 100 questions ≠ BMT uses 40 questions

Theory Is Not Full CPC

  • Category D completes Step 1 ≠ Three qualification steps remain

D1 Has Two Caps

  • Maximum sixteen passengers ≠ Maximum eight metres

Speed Sign May Be Higher

  • Vehicle limit still applies ≠ Lower maximum always controls

Split Break Order Matters

  • First break at least 15 ≠ Second break at least 30

Learners Avoid Motorways

  • Category does not create exception ≠ Full accompanying driver still required

CVRT Is Not Daily Check

  • Certificate proves periodic test ≠ Driver confirms current roadworthiness

Tachograph Card Is Personal

  • Never borrow another card ≠ Record all required activity

Last Minute

  • 1. Confirm D, DE, D1, D1E coverage
  • 2. Know 100-question, 120-minute, 74-pass format
  • 3. Verify live €72 booking fee
  • 4. Separate Category D from BMT
  • 5. Know D1 passenger and length caps
  • 6. Remember learner motorway prohibition
  • 7. Apply lower road or vehicle limit
  • 8. Memorize standing-bus 65km/h cap
  • 9. Run complete daily walkaround
  • 10. Never drive with safety defects
  • 11. Keep doors and exits secure
  • 12. Protect cyclists from left turns
  • 13. Remember 4.5 then 45
  • 14. Split breaks 15 then 30
  • 15. Track 56-hour week, 90-hour fortnight
  • 16. Treat theory as CPC Step 1

Ireland Driver Theory Test - Bus

  • Practice Questions 100 questions Study Guide 25 topics Cheat Sheet 104 facts Flashcards 50 cards

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