Vehicle knowledge and vehicle control for buses
This domain checks whether you can prepare a bus for service, understand its systems and control it safely at low speed and on the road. Questions often target air brakes, doors, tail swing and blind spots.
Pre-trip checks
- Walk around the bus: tyre tread, pressure, cuts and bulges; lights, reflectors, mirrors, wipers, windscreen and body damage; leaks under the vehicle.
- Build air pressure until the warning stops. Check the brake test, door operation, emergency exits, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tachograph and height marker.
- Adjust seat, mirrors and steering wheel before moving. Confirm the door interlock prevents movement with doors open.
Driving the bus
- A bus has a high centre of gravity, long overhangs and large blind spots. Use all mirrors and a direct blind-spot check before moving off or changing lane.
- Tail swing: when the front turns, the rear overhang swings outward. Watch kerbs, poles, parked cars and pedestrians on the outside of the turn.
- Use the retarder or engine brake on long descents; do not ride the brakes. Leave a larger gap because laden braking distance is longer.
Worked example
You turn right into a narrow street. The front clears the kerb, but the rear overhang swings left toward a bollard. The pivot point is near the rear axle, so the tail tracks outside the front path. You should approach wide, slow down, check the left mirror and allow extra space before completing the turn.
Traps
- Forgetting the vehicle height after a route change.
- Assuming a bus stops as quickly as a car.
- Ignoring an air-pressure warning.
- Relying on a camera without a mirror or direct check.