Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Checks
The Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Checks domain tests whether you can prove a school bus is safe and legal before any student boards. Indiana expects a systematic inspection with documented defects, not a quick walk-around.
Outside inspection
Start at the front and work clockwise. Check tires for tread depth (at least 4/32 inch on steer tires, 2/32 inch on other tires), cuts, bulges, and inflation. Verify headlights, turn signals, brake lights, four-way flashers, eight-way warning lights, and the stop arm. Clean and adjust mirrors. Check that the crossing gate and stop arm extend fully.
Inside and equipment
Test emergency exits (side door, rear door, roof hatch, windows); the buzzer must sound when an exit is opened. Confirm the fire extinguisher is charged, the first aid kit and body fluid cleanup kit are stocked, and triangles and fuses are present. Check that seats are secure, seat belts and child restraint anchors are intact, and the two-way radio works. On air-brake buses, perform the leak-down, low-pressure warning, and parking brake tests.
Post-trip
After the route, walk to the rear checking for sleeping students, close windows, and secure the bus.
Worked example: A driver finds the left rear turn signal dead. The correct action is to tag the bus out of service, notify dispatch, and use a replacement. Reasoning: warning lights and the stop arm are legal requirements; a dead signal can cause a crash and fails inspection.
Traps: checking only the exterior; assuming yesterday's pass counts; skipping emergency exit buzzers; not documenting defects; forgetting the post-trip child check.