Vehicle construction, maintenance and technical condition of buses
This domain examines povinná výbava, pre-trip checks, braking and tyre systems, tachograph and speed limiter, and the inspection regime for buses of category M2/M3.
Equipment and pre-trip check
- Bus equipment includes lékárnička, hasicí přístroj, výstražný trojúhelník, reflexní vesta, zakládací klíny, spare bulbs and fuses; emergency exits carry a kladívko na sklo.
- Walk-round check: tyres (pressure, tread, damage), lights and indicators, wipers, oil and coolant, AdBlue level, door operation, emergency exits, first-aid kit and extinguisher.
- Record defects; a defect affecting safety means the bus does not leave the depot.
Brakes and retarder
- Two-circuit system with ABS/EBS, frequently ESP; a retarder or engine brake supplements the service brakes.
- Test the brakes at low speed after moving off, particularly after rain or a wash.
- ABS/EBS warning lamps mean a reduced safety margin - report them, never ignore them.
Tyres
- Same type and size on an axle, adequate tread depth, pressure per the manufacturer's plate.
- Twin wheels: check for trapped stones and for contact between the two tyres.
Tachograph and speed limiter
- Digital tachograph with the driver's karta řidiče inserted; manual entries for other work, availability and breaks.
- Buses above 3.5 t are limited to 100 km/h; the limiter is part of the approved type, not an operator option.
Inspections
- M2/M3 buses go for technická prohlídka every year; service records must match the vehicle and be available for inspection.
Worked example
The ABS warning lamp stays on after the self-test during the morning check. Reasoning: the bus still brakes, but without anti-lock control the wheels can lock and steering is lost on a wet surface. The vehicle is technically unfit, so you record the defect, inform the dispatcher and do not take it into service.
Traps
- Treating a warning lamp as a sensor glitch.
- Mismatched tyres on one axle.
- Skipping the walk-round in winter.
- Assuming the limiter can be raised by the operator.