Basic Vehicle Control
Basic Vehicle Control tests low-speed precision: starting, stopping, steering, turning, backing, and parking a long passenger vehicle without hitting curbs, signs, or pedestrians. The key ideas are off-tracking and tail swing.
Off-tracking and tail swing
- The rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels, so they can cut inside a turn and strike a curb.
- The rear of the bus swings outward in the opposite direction of the front. Watch the tail in mirrors when leaving a stop or turning near poles and pedestrians.
- On a right turn, slow down, swing wide enough within your lane, and check the right mirror as the rear wheels clear the corner. Do not swing into an occupied lane.
Backing and parking
- Use a spotter whenever possible. If you lose sight of the spotter, stop.
- Use GOAL: Get Out And Look. Back slowly and use both mirrors; if unsure, pull forward and realign.
- Set the parking brake and secure the bus before leaving the seat.
Worked example
A 40-foot bus turns right at a tight corner. The front bumper clears the curb, but the rear wheels are still 25 feet back and will track inside the turn. The driver should have slowed earlier, swung left within the lane, and watched the right mirror; if the rear is too close, stop and reassess rather than continuing into the curb.
Traps
Cutting a right turn too sharply; ignoring tail swing; backing without a spotter; and turning from the wrong lane.