Backing a commercial motor vehicle is always dangerous because you cannot see everything behind you. When backing, make frequent checks of the mirrors on both sides of the vehicle.

When operating a new vehicle, you should familiarize yourself with its features and equipment before getting behind the wheel.

Bus passengers should never be allowed to leave baggage in the aisle or doorway of a bus. All luggage and cargo must be positioned in a manner that ensures riders are able to exit by any window or door in an emergency.

There are two indicators that determine when you need to shift into a higher gear. One indicator is the engine speed (rpm). You should read your vehicle's manual to learn its rpm range and shift up when you reach the top of that range. The other indicator is road speed (mph). You should learn which speeds each gear can accommodate, then keep an eye on the speedometer and shift up as needed.

You must sign a vehicle inspection report only if defects were noted and either certified to have been repaired or certified as not needing to be repaired.

It is the driver's responsibility to inspect their cargo; recognize overloading or poorly balanced weight; know that the cargo is properly secured and does not obscure the driver's view; and know that the cargo does not restrict access to emergency equipment. The driver is responsible for their cargo even if they were not the one who initially loaded and secured the cargo.

When inspecting a vehicle that is equipped with power steering, check the hoses, pumps, and fluid level. In particular, you should look for leaks in the hoses.

In the event of a vehicle fire, you should leave the road and stop in an open area. Do not pull into a service station as fuels at the service station could catch fire. Report the fire and your location to emergency services.

During the on-road driving test, if your route does not include a railroad crossing, the examiner may ask you to explain and demonstrate the necessary procedures at a simulated location.

Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when driving on wet roads with tire pressure that is too low and tire tread that is too worn. If there is enough water on the road, hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph.

The examiner will score the number of times your vehicle touches or crosses an exercise boundary line. Each encroachment will count as an error, resulting in points against your skills test score.

While regular mirror checks should always be part of your driving routine, you should make a particular point of checking the mirrors when changing lanes, turning, merging, or making tight maneuvers.

The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) indicator light should come on after an engine is started. The light will then turn off. If the light remains on, the ABS it not working properly.

A load of cargo must be properly balanced. Placing too much weight over an axle can damage the axle and make it more difficult for you to steer. Placing too little weight over an axle can cause poor traction, also leading to difficult handling.

Traction is friction between your tires and the surface of the road. Adequate traction is necessary for braking and steering.

Your vehicle's horn is a tool to warn others of your presence. Because the horn may create danger by startling other drivers, you should use it only if necessary.

When inspecting a vehicle's suspension, you should look for broken or missing leaves in the leaf springs. Any defect of this kind is dangerous. If one-fourth or more of the leaves are missing from any leaf spring, the vehicle must be put out-of-service.

Stopping is not always the safest response to a hazard on the road. You can almost always turn to avoid an obstacle faster than you can stop.

Always speed up smoothly and gradually so that your vehicle does not jerk. Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

You should start and stop as smoothly as possible to help prevent passenger injury. After passengers have boarded your bus at a stop, you should allow them time to be seated or to brace themselves before you begin driving.