Sulphur produces acidic gases. Diesel fuels with lower sulphur content have been produced to reduce exhaust emissions that harm both people and the environment.

You should always plan your route. This will ensure you always drive on roads that are suitable for the size and weight of your vehicle. By planning to avoid peak travel times, you can also avoid congestion. This can save you fuel, as well as reducing your journey times.

Some exposed places are frequently subject to high winds. These include high-level bridges and roads, viaducts and some motorways. Check the weather forecast and plan an alternative route. Remember, you're responsible for your passengers' safety. Don't ignore warnings of severe winds.

If you damage a parked vehicle and the owner isn't around, you must report it to the police within 24 hours. This applies to any property you might have damaged. In Northern Ireland, all incidents must be reported to the police immediately.

Most large vehicles have a rev counter (tachometer) that's divided into coloured bands. This helps you to drive in the most fuel-efficient way and avoid damage to the engine. The green band is the one that gives adequate torque and power with optimum fuel economy.

Your vehicle will make more noise than a car, so you should try to avoid making unnecessary noise at any time of the day or night. This is especially important when you're in a residential area at a time when people are likely to be sleeping.

Today, all water-cooled engines use a mixture of water and anti-freeze to make up the coolant. As well as helping to keep the engine at its correct operating temperature, the anti-freeze acts as a corrosion inhibitor to prolong the life of the cooling system.

Always look well ahead. Early planning and anticipation will help you avoid the need to brake harshly. It's important that you give your passengers a smooth journey, especially if any of them are having to stand.

In poor conditions, all braking should be controlled, in good time and when travelling in a straight line. Try to avoid braking and turning at the same time. Look well ahead to assess and plan your actions.

When approaching hazards or bus stops, you should always be aware of how your passengers will be affected by the change in speed. Late, harsh braking as passengers leave their seats can take them by surprise and cause them to fall towards the front of the bus, possibly injuring themselves or others. Wherever possible, avoid harsh braking by planning ahead, giving yourself time to reduce speed smoothly.

If you need to brake when the road surface is wet, do so while your vehicle is travelling in a straight line. This will reduce the risk of skidding. As a professional driver, you should routinely brake in good time, so that you don't brake and change direction at the same time.

You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of older drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don’t lose patience or show your annoyance.

DVSA and the police carry out frequent roadside checks of commercial vehicles. Where serious defects are found, the vehicle is taken out of use until they're put right. Details of the prohibition are shared with the traffic commissioner.

Just like your bus tyres, your trailer tyres must be in good condition. You might not tow a trailer on every journey you make, but when you do, check the trailer tyres while they're cold and make sure they're suitable for the load they'll carry.

Operators often publicise journeys as being comfortable, convenient and fast. You play an important part in delivering this standard of service.

On a motorway where there's a long uphill gradient, there may be a crawler lane. This helps the traffic to flow by making an extra lane available on the left for slower, heavy vehicles.

If you're the first to arrive at an incident, further collisions and fire are the immediate concerns. Switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other traffic. Stop any running vehicle engines to reduce the risk of fire. Don't assume that someone else has called the emergency services - do it yourself. Don't move casualties trapped in vehicles unless they're in danger.

Faulty power steering will make your steering wheel very difficult or almost impossible to turn. Continuing to drive could cause danger to you and other road users. You should park safely and get help.

Don't remove anything sticking to a burn. You may cause further damage and introduce infection into the wound. If you can, douse the burn with clean cold water or other non-toxic liquid for at least 10 minutes.

Smoke from the engine compartment is very serious, as fire within a vehicle can spread very quickly. Your priority is to make sure that all passengers get off the bus as quickly and safely as possible.

The horn shouldn't be used between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am in a built-up area. The only exception is when another road user is unaware of you and poses a danger.

Wet roads will increase the time it takes you to stop. Four seconds is the minimum gap you should leave on wet roads. This is double the gap you should normally keep from the vehicle in front on good, dry roads.

Moisture in the braking system can cause serious problems, especially in cold weather, when it could freeze and stop the brakes from working. Most modern vehicles have a system that drains automatically, but make sure you know which system is fitted to any vehicle that you drive.

Good forward planning will reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions. This will cause less wear on the vehicle and its tyres, as well as reducing environmental pollution.

Stopping where you see this sign is likely to cause an obstruction, which could lead to traffic delays. Obeying the sign will help keep the traffic flowing.

Drinking alcohol will reduce your ability to drive safely. One drink is too many if you're going to drive.

All modern vehicles have some form of power-assisted steering, which will be able to cope with everything the vehicle requires. If the steering feels heavy, the power-steering system could be faulty and needs to be checked before you continue your journey.

When an ambulance is displaying a flashing blue light, try to stop in a safe place to allow it to pass. Make sure you don't endanger any other road users or commit an offence; for example, by driving past a red traffic light.

Always look out for road signs, but be especially aware of those that refer to large or heavy vehicles. Get into the habit of checking for signs at junctions. There might be an indication on the junction layout sign. Before you turn, make sure that the road you're using doesn't have any restrictions for the vehicle you're driving.

Moving a casualty could cause further injury, so it's important that this is only done if there's danger to them where they are.