Special Driving Situations and Hazard Awareness
The exam tests hazard awareness in weather, on grades, in work zones, and around motorists who ignore the stop arm. A school bus is tall, heavy, and top-heavy; it does not stop or turn like a car.
Weather and road conditions
- Rain: slow down, increase following distance, and watch for hydroplaning. Do not brake hard in standing water.
- Fog: use low beams, reduce speed, and do not overdrive visibility.
- Snow and ice: brake and steer gently; watch bridges and shaded curves for black ice.
- Wind: crosswinds push a high-profile bus; expect gusts at bridges and open fields.
- Never use cruise control on wet or icy roads.
Grades, work zones, and night
- Downshift before a downgrade and use the same gear down that you used up.
- In work zones, obey flaggers, reduce speed, and watch for narrowed lanes.
- At night, scan farther ahead and watch for students in dark clothing.
Worked example
Fog reduces visibility to about 100 feet on a rural road. You slow to a speed you can stop within that distance, switch to low beams, and increase following distance. You do not use high beams, which reflect back and worsen vision.
Traps
- High beams in fog.
- Cruise control on wet pavement.
- Tailgating to keep up.
- Assuming a car will stop for your red lights.