Vehicle Inspection and School Bus Equipment
This domain tests pre-trip and post-trip inspection and the equipment that makes a bus legal and safe for students.
Core rules
- Pre-trip inspection covers leaks, tires, wheels, lights, mirrors, stop arm, crossing gate, warning lights, emergency exits, seats, belts, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, body fluid kit, reflectors, horn, wipers, brakes, steering, suspension, and fluid levels.
- Perform an air brake test if equipped. Check that emergency exits open and close properly, and check any child reminder system.
- Post-trip inspection includes walking the bus, checking for sleeping students and lost items, noting defects, securing the bus, and reporting defects in writing.
- Do not operate with safety defects in brakes, steering, tires, lights, stop arm, or emergency exits. Report the defect and remove the bus from service.
- Required equipment includes the stop arm, red and amber warning lights, crossing control arm, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning reflectors, radio, and emergency exits.
Worked example
The stop arm fails to extend during pre-trip inspection. The driver documents the defect, notifies the shop, and does not run the route. Reasoning: the stop arm and warning lights are required to control traffic at student stops; without them, the route cannot be run safely.
Traps
Marks are lost for skipping the brake test, assuming the previous driver checked the bus, not checking emergency exits, failing to document a defect, driving with inoperative warning lights, or forgetting the post-trip child check.