During the vehicle inspection test, you must check the power steering belt, water pump belt, alternator belt, and air compressor belt for snugness, cracks, or frays. If any of these components are not belt-driven, you must tell the examiner which one(s), and verify that they are operating properly, mounted securely, and not damaged or leaking.

If a school bus is equipped with alternating amber warning lights, they must be activated at least 200 feet, or about five to ten seconds, before the stop.

Students should board a school bus slowly and in a single-file line. For safety, boarding students should use the handrail.

Before a trip, ensure that the steering box is securely mounted. Check for missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys. Be sure that there are no power steering fluid leaks and that there is no damage to power steering hoses.

The process of loading or unloading students from a school bus requires a driver's full concentration. If there is a behavioral issue on the bus, wait until the exiting students are safely off the bus and out of the way before you address the problem on the bus.

Crossover mirrors are used to help a school bus driver see the danger zone area directly in front of the bus, as well as the danger zone areas to the left and right sides of the bus, including the area from the front of the bus to the service door.

During the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to check the power steering, water pump, alternator, and air compressor belts, if the vehicle is equipped.

If approaching a railroad crossing while driving a transit bus, school bus, or placarded vehicle, special procedures apply. Before crossing, stop your vehicle within 50 feet of, but not less than 15 feet from, the nearest rail. Activate your four-way flashers while crossing. Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.

A driver uses a look when they open their door, leave their seated position, and walk to the back of the vehicle to check its position. During the straight line backing exercise, a driver may not exceed one look. During any other exercise, a driver may not exceed two looks.

On a school bus, outside convex mirrors should be adjusted to allow the driver to see at least one traffic lane on either side of the bus, the entire side of the bus up to the mirror mounts, and where the front of each rear tire touches the ground.

A school bus driver should never change or add a stop without written approval from the appropriate school district officials.

When checking your vehicle's pedals during a pre-trip inspection, you should ensure that there is nothing under or around the pedals that will obstruct their use. Make sure the pedals are in proper working condition and that the surfaces of the pedals are grooved, if applicable.

When checking the power steering fluid during the vehicle inspection test, you must be able to indicate where the power steering fluid dipstick is located and show that there is an adequate amount of power steering fluid in the engine compartment. The fluid level must be above the refill mark.

During the on-road driving skills test, you may be asked to enter an expressway. Before doing so, you must check traffic, use proper signals, and merge smoothly into the proper lane.

In most emergency situations, students will be safest and best kept under control if they do not evacuate the school bus.

If a school bus needs to be evacuated in the event of an emergency, the driver must quickly determine which exit or exits will be safest for students to use and direct the students to that exit.

During the on-road driving test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner; wear your safety belt; obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws; and complete the test without any accidents or moving violations.

The adjustment of mirrors should be checked prior to the start of any trip.

If equipped, a school bus's roof-mounted strobe light should be used when conditions create an environment of limited visibility.

When properly adjusted, the outside side flat mirrors on a school bus should allow the driver to see along the sides of the bus; the rear tires touching the ground; and 200 feet behind the bus.