Vehicle Knowledge, Safety Equipment and Bus Technical Requirements
A bus or coach must be technically fit before every trip. Know the systems: service brake and parking brake, retarder or engine brake, ABS and ESC, steering, suspension (especially kneeling systems on city buses), doors with their safety interlocks, and the emergency exits. Tyres must have adequate tread depth and correct pressure for the load; a blowout at speed demands a firm grip, gradual deceleration and no hard braking.
Mandatory equipment: fire extinguishers, first-aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vests, and on buses the emergency hammer and clearly marked exits. Doors must not open while the vehicle is moving, and the door interlock must prevent pulling away with a door open. Standing passengers are only allowed where the vehicle is approved for them. Luggage must be stowed so it cannot shift and block the aisle or exits.
Traps. Questions test whether you know that the retarder is not a substitute for the service brake on a long descent, and whether the emergency door release can be operated from inside. Another trap concerns load: overloading changes braking distance and tyre behaviour, and the permitted maximum mass includes passengers and luggage.
Rule of thumb: pre-departure check of tyres, lights, brakes, doors and exits, every day. Worked example: on a long alpine descent, select a low gear and use the retarder to hold a steady speed, using the service brake only briefly; riding the brakes overheats them and can cause total brake fade.