Theoretical Driving Course (TDC)

For Student Driver’s Permit Applicants

Subject No. 6

Driver’s Duties and

Responsibilities
Subject Code: TDC-15-S-06
 Driver’s Duties and Responsibilities

Topic Outline:

1. Physical and Mental Wellness

2. Passengers and Cargo Handling
3. A. Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver
B. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended
4. Proper Uniform Attire for Public Utility Vehicle Drivers
Physical & Mental
Wellness
 Physical Fitness for Safe Driving / Road Safety

• Being a safe driver is being fit to drive in the first place.

• Driving a vehicle is a physical activity, and a driver who gets no
physical exercise may not have the required strength, flexibility,
or coordination to control and operate a vehicle safely.

A driver must:
• see and hear clearly 
• synthesize different types of information right away 
• act quickly and decisively
 Physical and Mental Requirements of a Driver

 Ability to process the sensory functions

 No fatigue
 Ability to focus
 Physically fit to operate a vehicle
 Mentally and emotionally stable
 No health condition that can cause
a driver to lose control while driving  Ability to make sound judgment
that is required while driving
 Health Issues that may Affect Driving
Driver Fatigue
 Fatigue is a major contributory cause of fatal and
serious vehicle collisions and incidents. Many
vehicle incidents and collisions are caused annually
by tired drivers.
- Make sure you are well rested
- Avoid the most dangerous driving times
- Reduce your driving time if you feel tired
 Health Issues that may Affect Driving
Stressful Events
 Driving is often cited as being stressful
where traffic, weather, deadlines and rushing
all combine to make a driver stressed.
- Recognize it and be honest with yourself
- Rest
- Relax
- Reflect and adopt new ways of calming
yourself.
- Avoid situations that cause you high levels
of stress and minimize contact with stressful
places, people and events.
 Health Issues that may Affect Driving
Poor Eyesight
 A driver’s license holder or applicant must meet
certain vision standards for driving.
There are a number of visual disorders which may
place limitations on the driver’s ability to drive safely.
-Have your eyes tested every 2 years by an
optometrist or optician.
-If you have to wear prescription glasses or contact
lenses for driving, make sure you always wear
them when driving.
-Keep the glasses clean and scratch free.
-Carry a spare pair of glasses in your car.
 Health Issues that may Affect Driving
Temporary Illnesses
 Common conditions such as colds, flu,
migraine, upset stomach and fever can affect
your ability to drive safely. If severe, it can
impair your concentration, vision, reactions and -If you start to feel ill while driving, stop the
judgement. vehicle in a safe location.

-If the condition is not serious, you may feel

well enough to continue after a short break

-Take a warm drink or some medication.

-If you feel you are unfit to drive, do not

drive.
 Exercise from the Driver’s Seat
Stretching is extremely important to reduce stress and to avoid
injury. The following stretches can be done from the driver’s seat:

Shoulder Stretches
Shoulder shrugs are a great way to
reduce tension and stress from
your shoulder area. When stopped,
raise your shoulders up to your
ears. Hold for 10 seconds, release
and repeat.
 Exercise from the Driver’s Seat

Hand Stretches
Drivers spend a significant amount of
time gripping the steering wheel causing
their hands to cramp up and feel stiff.
Overtime, this could lead to arthritis or
carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce the
risk of these illnesses, drivers can
perform hand stretches. Try rolling your
wrists in a circle or gently pulling your
fingers toward your body.
Exercise from the Driver’s Seat

Whichever exercises you choose to

complete, it is essential to add
physical activity to your everyday
routine. It will help you look better,
feel better and live a healthier life.
 6 Important Safety Reminders

1. Always wear your seat belt 2. Never drink and drive. These
and insist that your passengers safeguards are the most thoughtful
do. acts of all as they can save lives.

Anti-Drunk and
Drugged Driving Act
 6 Important Safety Reminders

3. Driving a car requires full 4. Signal your intentions especially

attention when turning or overtaking a
vehicle.
 6 Important Safety Reminders

5. Drive at the speed limit. Driving 6. Keep some distance between you

too slowly can also cause accidents. and the car ahead of you. 
 Driving Don'ts for Individual Drivers

• Blocking the passing lane for more than a reasonable amount of time.
• Speeding up when you’re being passed.
• Driving in the breakdown lane to pass a long line of stopped traffic.
• Daydreaming at a stoplight after it turns green.
• Making left turns from the right lane, or vice versa.
• Not using turn signals.
• Responding to rude gestures and aggressive drivers
• Creeping along while talking on a cell phone.
• “Blocking the box,” or becoming stuck in the middle of an intersection.
 Driving Don'ts for Individual Drivers

Always remind yourself not

to take traffic problems
personally. Never focus your
generalized anger on a
single incident, which could
become the flash point for a
dangerous encounter.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

 Important Reminders for Drivers

• “Beep Beep!”
Honking briefly or other “heads up” is okay to alerts another driver to a
light change. Here’s what your horn is saying for you:
a. A succession of short, light beeps: “Hi!”
b. A quick little beep: “Heads up—I’m here!”
c. A slightly louder, slightly longer beep: “Hey, the light’s been green for
ten seconds” or “Watch it!”
d. A longer blast, repeated several times: “Come on, let’s go—you’re
taking way too long.”
e. A long, nonstop blast: “I’m really angry and I’ve lost control.”
 Important Reminders for Drivers

• Be Considerate of Your Passengers

Be aware of the following:
1. Your passengers’ comfort levels. 
2. The temperature in the car, volume of the radio, and music or
station being played.
3. Comfort room break and other break needs of passengers.
• Handling Passenger Distractions
It’s distracting to be questioned by your passenger on every move.
Express to them your need to focus on the road and continue driving
safely.
Passengers and
Cargo Handling
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Cargo Handling
 Loading areas should always have good
lighting. They should also be away from both
vehicles and pedestrians.

 Loading areas should be firm, flat and free

from potholes and other obstructions that
may cause slips or trips.

 Before loading transport, ensure that the

vehicle is braked and stabilized.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Cargo Handling
 Use a red flag to mark loads that extend more than one meter beyond
the body of the vehicle. When transporting cargo at night, use a red
light instead.

 Never load unsecured items on the backseat or rear window deck of

the vehicle. This can cause the load to hit passengers or the driver
when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop.

 When on the road, stop frequently to check your cargo. This is all the
more necessary when traveling long distances.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Loading and Unloading Passengers
 Load and unload at designated pick-up and drop-
off points.
 Do not unload passengers at corners immediately
before making a right/left turn. Discharge
passengers after making the turn.
 Park vehicle out of traffic or traveled lane.
 Turn on hazard flashers.
 Turn ignition off when not in driver’s seat.
 Park on level surface and apply emergency brake.
 Assist passengers as needed.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Communication with Passengers
“Attitude + Skill + Knowledge (ASK) = Passenger Satisfaction”
ASK your passengers what you need to know.
- Take time to discover each person’s method of communicating.
- Have respect when talking to a person who has a disability.
- Do not overlook the person with a disability by asking a companion for information,
as if the person was not present.
- Be patient, attentive and encouraging when talking to a person who has difficulty
speaking. Do not correct or speak for that person.
- Ask short, simple questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head.
- Speak clearly in a natural tone of voice.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Greeting passengers is a courtesy that is expected of all bus or van drivers.

- Be polite and courteous to all your passengers.

- Communicate with your passengers while assisting them to the vehicle.
- Ensure all people on your bus are supposed to be there and ensure you
are not missing any clients.
- Refer to your itinerary or trip sheet.
- Anticipate passenger needs.
- Acknowledge passengers with brief eye contact and a greeting. Say
“thank you” if they need to pay a fare.
- Give polite responses to questions or requests for assistance.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
FOR BUS, VAN, AND JEEPNEY DRIVERS

Disability Awareness Reminders

Every driver of seniors and persons with disabilities must have
basic disability awareness. A person with a disability is, first and
foremost, a person. Treat him/her with concern, respect, dignity
and understanding. It is the driver’s responsibility to recognize
the symptoms and limitations of particular disabilities to
determine how to provide the best assistance during the
passenger’s ride.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling

Passenger Comfort
Comfort must be a priority for drivers of persons with disabilities. Various
conditions can cause discomfort to passengers. It is the responsibility of the
driver to be alert and sensitive to the environmental conditions that can
affect the comfort of passengers.

Use words with dignity when communicating with clients. The Premier’s
Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities has provided the
following list of “words with dignity” to help you in communicating with
passengers.
 Passengers and Cargo Handling
Instead of…….. Use
Disabled/invalid Person with a disability
Crippled by, afflicted with,
Person with
suffers from
Confined, bound, restricted or
Person using wheelchair
dependent on wheelchair
Lame Person with limited ability
Person with a developmental
Retarded, mentally retarded
disability

Normal Able-bodied or non-disabled

 Duties and
Responsibilities of
a Driver
 Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver
1. He must diligently secure an appropriate
driver’s license from the Land Transportation
Office and to carry it at all times while driving a
motor vehicle.
2. He must know, follow and abide the land
transportation laws, rules and regulations.

(Ignorance of the law excuses no one.)

3. He must be a defensive driver. (someone who
deliberately drives in such a way as to reduce the
risk of accidents*)
* Source – Macmillian Dictionary by
Google
 Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver

4. He must exercise due diligence as a

good father of the family.
5. He must assure that the vehicle he is
driving is duly registered, roadworthy
and emission compliant.
6. He must be taking appropriate
measures to secure and safeguard the
vehicle until it is returned to the
designated location.
 Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver

7.He must regularly conduct proper motor vehicle Pre-trip

inspection (BLOWBAGA and SAFETYWITHDADS) and to
correct the defects or non-conformities in order to avoid
accidents or delays. (Know
that road crashes can be prevented because it can be predicted.)

8.He must ensure that the vehicle is kept clean, tidy and in good
working condition at all times.
9.He must know what to do and act in case of accident or
incident.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver

10. He must be literate, skillful , competent

and eager to learn more and to enhance
his knowledge and capabilities.

11. He must know his rights and privileges.

Thus, having a driver’s license is only a
privilege and not a right.

12. He must always observe road safety,

discipline and courtesy.

 Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver

13. He must ensure that he is in a

healthy condition with no contagious
disease that can affect him and his
passenger/s.
 Rights of a Driver
when Apprehended
 Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to be informed
of the full name of
the apprehending
officer.
 Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to be informed of
the traffic agency for
which the apprehending
officer works.
Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to know if the

apprehending officer is
an officer for traffic
direction and control or
a deputized officer.
Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to be informed of
the nature of violations
for which the driver is
being apprehended.
 Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right not to step

down from the
vehicle.
Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to contest the apprehension

at the appropriate office of the
concerned traffic agency when
not satisfied with the
apprehension.
 Rights of a Driver when Apprehended

Right to file the appropriate

criminal, civil or administrative
case, in case of abuse of
authority or for any other
irregularities which may be
committed by the traffic officer.
THANK YOU!