Vehicle Inspection
What the inspection covers
The Montana school bus endorsement exam tests whether you can inspect a bus in a fixed sequence and recognize defects that make it unsafe for passengers. A pre-trip inspection is not a quick walk-around; it is a documented systems check before every route.
Core rules
- Use a seven-step inspection: overview, engine compartment, cab controls, exterior lights, suspension and brakes, tires and wheels, then final school-bus equipment.
- Check school-bus-specific items: stop arm, crossing gate, eight-way warning lights, emergency exits and buzzers, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, body panels, and mirror adjustment.
- Test parking brake, service brake, and air-brake leakage if equipped. Check tire tread, pressure, cuts, and lug nuts.
- Any defect affecting brakes, steering, lights, exits, or warning devices places the bus out of service until repaired.
A driver finds the left rear turn signal does not flash. Reasoning: the turn signal is required for lane changes and student loading; a hand signal is not an acceptable substitute on a school bus. The driver reports the defect, moves students to another bus or waits for repair, and records the defect. Driving the route would make the defect a repeat violation.
Traps that cost marks
Checking lights only from the driver's seat, forgetting the stop arm or emergency exits, assuming a gauge reading proves brake condition, and failing to write up a defect. Inspect what you cannot see by walking around and using a helper or reflection.