ND CDL School Bus cheat sheet

A pre-trip inspection must cover six key areas: engine compartment, cab and controls, walk-around lights, tires and wheels, brake system, and cargo/securement areas.

Check coolant, oil, and power-steering fluid only when the engine is off and cool; hot coolant can cause severe burns when the cap is removed.

Test the parking brake by setting it, shifting to a low gear, and gently pulling against it to confirm the vehicle does not move.

Check belt tension by pressing the belt at its midpoint; excessive deflection or glazing indicates replacement is needed before driving.

Inspect tire tread depth and look for cuts, bulges, and exposed cords; dual tires must not touch each other and should have matched circumference.

Verify all exterior lights - headlights high and low, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, clearance lights, and school bus red warning lamps - operate correctly.

During the air-brake check, the system should hold pressure with the engine off; a pressure loss greater than 3 psi per minute (single vehicle) signals a leak.

The school bus stop arm and flashing red lights must be tested before each route; they are required equipment when loading or unloading students.

Use the push-pull steering method: one hand pulls down while the other pushes up, never crossing the arms; this keeps both hands on the wheel.

Start the engine, release the parking brake, then shift into the lowest gear before releasing the clutch to avoid rolling backward.

Back a school bus only when necessary; use a spotter, check mirrors on both sides, and get out to look behind the bus before backing if no spotter is available.

When turning, slow down before the turn, then accelerate gently through it; do not brake while turning on slippery surfaces.

Use the 4-second following distance rule in ideal conditions; increase to at least 6 seconds for school buses carrying students.

A school bus is longer and heavier than a car; allow extra clearance when turning right, since the rear wheels track inside the front wheels.

When stopped on a hill, hold the brake, release the clutch to the friction point, then release the brake as the clutch engages to prevent rollback.

Shift up through the gears in order; never skip a gear when accelerating, as this can lug the engine and damage the transmission.

Use the clutch properly: press it fully to the floor before shifting, then release it smoothly to avoid jerking or stalling.

Downshift before a downgrade to use engine braking; do not coast in neutral, which is illegal in most states and reduces control.

Match engine RPM to road speed: shift up when RPM reaches the governed range, and shift down before the engine lugs or stalls.

Double-clutching is required in some non-synchronized transmissions: press the clutch, shift to neutral, release, press again, then shift.

When stopped on a hill, use the parking brake to hold the bus while you engage the clutch and accelerator, then release the brake.

Do not ride the clutch or rest your foot on the pedal; this causes premature clutch wear and overheating.

Keep your eyes moving and scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead of the bus; at highway speeds this equals about a quarter mile.

Use the mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds to monitor traffic behind and beside the bus; adjust mirrors before departure.

Check blind spots by turning your head and looking over your shoulder before changing lanes; mirrors do not show everything.

At night, look to the right edge of the road when an oncoming vehicle's headlights approach to avoid glare blindness.

When approaching a hill or curve, look ahead and through the curve to anticipate hazards; do not stare at the center line.

Look for pedestrians, bicyclists, and children near the bus, especially at bus stops and school zones; children may dart into the road.

Use the proper mirror adjustment: you should see a portion of the bus side and the lane beside it, not just the sky or the ground.

Signal your intentions at least 100 feet before turning in urban areas and 300 feet on highways; signal early and cancel after the turn.

Use the school bus's flashing amber lights to warn traffic that you are preparing to stop, then activate red lights and stop arm when stopped.

Flash your headlights or tap the horn only to warn others of danger; do not use them to express anger or frustration.

Make eye contact with pedestrians and cyclists at intersections to confirm they see you before proceeding.

Use four-way flashers when stopped on the roadside or moving slowly, and when backing, to alert other drivers.

Position the bus in the proper lane and use turn signals, brake lights, and hand signals when needed to communicate with other drivers.

When a vehicle is passing your stopped school bus illegally, record the license plate and report it; do not chase the vehicle.

Adjust speed for road conditions: reduce speed in rain, snow, ice, fog, and on curves, hills, and narrow roads.

The posted speed limit is the maximum for ideal conditions; school buses carrying students should travel below the limit when conditions warrant.

Use the 4-second following distance rule in good conditions; increase to 6 seconds or more in poor weather or when loaded with students.

Slow down before entering a curve, then maintain a steady speed through the curve; braking in a curve can cause a skid.

On a downgrade, downshift to a lower gear before starting the descent and use engine braking; do not ride the brakes.

Stop at least 10 feet from railroad tracks, and do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.

When approaching a school zone, reduce speed to the posted school zone limit and watch for children and crossing guards.

Maintain at least a 4-second following distance in ideal conditions; increase to 6 seconds or more for school buses carrying students.

Keep a space cushion on all sides: at least one lane of space to the side and enough room ahead to stop safely.

When stopped behind another vehicle, leave enough space to see its rear tires touching the road, so you can steer around it if needed.

Avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot; pass quickly and do not linger beside large trucks or cars.

When merging or changing lanes, signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and leave a gap large enough for your bus.

Increase following distance when carrying passengers, in bad weather, at night, or when being tailgated.

When a vehicle tailgates, increase your following distance ahead so you can brake gradually and reduce the risk of a rear-end collision.

Scan for hazards 12 to 15 seconds ahead; identify potential problems such as pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles entering the roadway.

Watch for clues: brake lights, turn signals, drivers looking over their shoulders, and children near the road indicate possible hazards.

At intersections, look left, right, and left again before proceeding; do not assume other drivers will stop.

Be alert for distracted drivers, vehicles weaving, and erratic speed; predict their actions and keep a safe distance.

When approaching a school bus stop, watch for children crossing the road and for parents dropping off students.

In construction zones, watch for workers, narrowed lanes, and changed traffic patterns; reduce speed and follow flaggers.

Check for hazards at railroad crossings: look and listen for trains, and never stop on the tracks.

Distracted driving includes texting, eating, adjusting the radio, and talking on a cell phone; all increase crash risk.

Texting while driving is illegal in most states and is especially dangerous for school bus drivers responsible for students.

Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel; set mirrors, GPS, and radio before starting the trip.

Do not use a cell phone while driving a school bus unless it is hands-free and permitted by company policy.

Distraction can be visual (eyes off road), manual (hands off wheel), or cognitive (mind off driving); all three impair performance.

When a distraction occurs, pull over safely to a stop before dealing with it.

Passengers can distract the driver; maintain discipline and address behavior only when the bus is stopped.

Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, weaving, and cutting off other vehicles; do not respond in kind.

If confronted by an aggressive driver, avoid eye contact, do not gesture, and give them space to pass.

Do not stop on the road to argue; drive to a safe, public place and call for help if needed.

Report aggressive drivers by noting the license plate, vehicle description, and location, then call the police.

Keep your emotions in check; road rage can escalate and endanger you and your passengers.

Increase following distance when being tailgated, and change lanes or pull over to let the aggressive driver pass.

Avoid behaviors that provoke aggression: do not block the passing lane, tailgate, or honk excessively.

Use low beams when following another vehicle within 500 feet or when meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet.

Use high beams on open highways when no other vehicles are present; dim them for oncoming traffic and when following.

Reduce speed at night; visibility is limited and stopping distance may exceed the distance you can see.

Do not look directly into oncoming headlights; look toward the right edge of the road to maintain lane position.

Keep your windshield, mirrors, and headlights clean; dirty glass increases glare and reduces visibility.

At night, watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and animals; they are harder to see and may not be wearing reflective clothing.

If you are tired, stop and rest; fatigue impairs night driving more than daytime driving.

Use low-beam headlights in fog; high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility.

Reduce speed and increase following distance in fog; visibility may be less than 100 feet.

Use the right edge of the road or lane markings as a guide to stay in your lane.

Do not stop on the road in fog; if you must stop, pull off the road and turn on four-way flashers.

Use fog lights if equipped; they are designed to cut through fog better than headlights.

Avoid using cruise control in fog; it can cause loss of control if you hydroplane or encounter changing conditions.

Listen for traffic you cannot see, and open your window slightly to hear approaching vehicles.