Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Checks
Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Trip Checks - what the exam tests
This domain tests the daily pre-trip inspection and the driver's duty to remove an unsafe bus from service. Minnesota questions often focus on the stop arm, eight-way lights, emergency exits, brake checks, and the paperwork trail for defects.
Daily pre-trip
- Walk around the bus: tires, wheels, body panels, mirrors, stop arm, crossing gate, and lights.
- Check under the hood: fluids, belts, hoses, and battery security.
- Test the eight-way light system, horn, wipers, defroster, and turn signals.
- Inspect the interior: emergency exits, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, seat belts, and aisle clearance.
- Test the service brake, parking brake, and, on air-brake buses, the air-brake checks.
Defects and out-of-service items
- A stop arm that will not extend, a red light that will not flash, or a defective emergency exit keeps the bus out of service.
- Report every defect in writing and notify the supervisor before transporting students.
Worked example
The pre-trip shows the stop arm does not extend. The driver does not take the route. The driver completes a defect report, notifies dispatch, and uses another bus. Driving with an inoperative stop arm would violate the loading and unloading sequence and create a stop-arm violation risk.
Traps that cost marks
- Checking only the exterior lights and skipping the emergency exits.
- Assuming a warning light means the system is working.
- Driving a bus with an unsafe defect because the route is short.
- Failing to document a defect.
Key points
- Complete a walk-around and interior inspection every day.
- Test eight-way lights, stop arm, horn, wipers, and exits.
- Perform required brake checks.
- Remove the bus from service for safety defects.
- Document and report all defects.