BC Class 2 Bus flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Daily pre-trip inspection

A documented check of lights, brakes, tires, steering, emergency equipment and passenger-safety items, completed before the bus's first trip each day; defects must be recorded.

Steering axle tread minimum

Commercial vehicles need at least 3.2 mm of tread depth on steering axle tires and 1.6 mm on other axles; exposed cord, bulges or deep cuts require removal.

Emergency exit check

Each exit must open freely from inside and outside without tools, stay unobstructed by luggage or passengers, and sound an alarm where one is fitted.

Bus emergency equipment

A serviceable fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangles and spare fuses must be on board; check each item during the pre-trip and replace anything missing or expired.

Defect reporting duty

Any defect found that could affect safe operation must be recorded and reported, and the vehicle must not be driven until it is repaired or certified roadworthy.

Air compressor build-up test

With the engine at fast idle, air pressure must climb from 85 psi to 100 psi within 45 seconds on a single unit; slower build-up indicates a compressor or leak problem.

Low air pressure warning

The warning light and buzzer must activate before system pressure drops below 60 psi (414 kPa), giving the driver time to stop before spring brakes apply.

Spring brake application range

Parking spring brakes apply automatically when air pressure falls to about 20 to 45 psi (138 to 310 kPa), locking the wheels until pressure is restored.

Brake leakage, brakes released

Engine off with the system fully charged and brakes released, pressure loss must not exceed 2 psi per minute on a single vehicle or 3 psi per minute on a combination.

Brake leakage, brakes applied

With the brakes fully applied and held, pressure loss must not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single unit or 4 psi per minute for a combination vehicle.

Brake adjustment limit

Brakes are out of adjustment when pushrod travel exceeds the manufacturer's maximum for that chamber size, commonly 2 inches (51 mm) for a type 30 chamber.

Three-second following rule

Under ideal conditions, stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead; add a second or more for heavy loads, passengers, rain, darkness or poor visibility.

Off-tracking

The rear wheels of a long bus follow a tighter path than the front wheels through a curve, so the driver must swing wider before starting the turn.

Tail swing

As the front of a bus turns, its rear overhang swings outward in the opposite direction, endangering pedestrians, cyclists and parked vehicles beside it.

Bus blind spots

Areas directly ahead, directly behind and along both sides where the driver cannot see; mirrors must be checked frequently to keep these zones clear.

Railway crossing rule for buses

A bus carrying passengers must stop at every railway crossing unless an official sign exempts it, open a door or window, and listen before crossing.

Snub braking

On a long downgrade, apply the brakes firmly to shed roughly 10 km/h, then release fully; this lets the drums cool between applications and limits fade.

Standing passenger limit

Never carry more passengers than the bus's rated seated and standing capacity, and never let anyone stand in stairwells, doorways or other prohibited areas.

Aisle and exit clearance

Keep the aisle, stairwells and emergency exits free of luggage, equipment and standing passengers so people can leave the bus quickly in an emergency.

School bus student crossing

Students must walk at least 3 m (10 ft) in front of the bus and cross only after the driver signals, staying visible to the driver the whole time.

Wheelchair securement

A wheelchair must be secured with a four-point tie-down system, and the occupant restrained by a lap belt and shoulder belt attached to the vehicle.

Cargo tiedown strength

The combined working load limit of all tiedowns must be at least 50 percent of the weight of the cargo being secured, using at least two tiedowns.

Evacuation decision

Evacuate only when the bus is on fire, in the path of traffic or otherwise more dangerous than the roadside; otherwise keep passengers seated and inside.

Warning triangle placement

On a two-way road, place triangles about 30 m behind and 30 m ahead of the vehicle; on a divided highway place them behind, never on the traffic side.

Collision response order

Stop, protect the scene with hazard lights and triangles, check for injuries, call 911, and avoid moving seriously injured people unless there is fire or traffic danger.

Small fire response

Evacuate passengers first and move them upwind, then use the extinguisher only on a small fire; never re-enter a bus that is burning or smoking.

Passenger accounting after evacuation

Take the roster and emergency kit, lead passengers well off the roadway to a safe gathering point, and count heads against the roster before releasing anyone.

Class 2 licence scope

A Class 2 licence permits driving a bus designed to carry more than 24 passengers including the driver; buses of 24 or fewer fall under Class 4.

Air brake endorsement

Required before driving any vehicle equipped with air brakes; the Class 2 road examination includes an air brake inspection and adjustment component.

Daily hours of service limits

No driving after 13 hours of driving, 14 hours on duty, or 16 hours elapsed since the shift began; eight consecutive hours off resets the daily limits.

Cycle limits

Cycle 1 permits 70 hours on duty in 7 days; Cycle 2 permits 120 hours in 14 days; a driver needs 24 consecutive hours off before switching cycles.

Trip inspection records

Daily trip inspection reports must be completed, signed and retained by the carrier for the period set out in National Safety Code Standard 13.