It is critical to the safe operation of a school bus that mirrors be properly adjusted. Always check each mirror before operating the bus.

Because air takes time to flow through the air lines to the brakes, air brakes cannot begin working instantly. There is often a brake lag of at least one-half of a second between the moment the brake pedal is pressed and the moment the brakes begin to work.

On a bus designed to carry standing passengers, no passengers may stand in front of the rear of the driver's seat. Any such bus must have a line on the floor, or some other marking, that indicates where passengers may not stand. This is called a standee line.

During the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to indicate where the dipstick is located. You will need to show that the oil level is within a safe operating range and above the refill mark.

When performing a static leakage test on a single vehicle with air brakes, the leakage rate should be no more than 2 psi in a minute. If the air leaks from the air brake system at a quicker rate, the vehicle should not be driven because something likely needs to be repaired.

If equipped, ABS is in addition to a vehicle's normal braking system and does not increase or decrease the braking power of any other system. ABS only activates when a vehicle's wheels are about to lock.

Many large CMVs are equipped with air brakes. An air braking system uses compressed air to operate.

A driver is allowed to exit their vehicle to check its position during any basic vehicle control skills test exercise. This action is called a "look." During the straight line backing exercise, a driver may not exceed one look. During any other exercise, a driver may not exceed two looks.

The safety valve protects air tanks and the rest of an air brake system from accumulating too much air pressure. The safety valve is usually set to open at 150 psi.

A bus does not need to stop before crossing a drawbridge controlled by a green signal light. The driver should still slow down and verify that it is safe before crossing.

Compressed air in an air brake system usually contains a certain amount of water and compressor oil. The water and oil can damage the brakes if left to accumulate in the system. Manually operated air tank drains must be opened daily to remove this build-up.

To avoid becoming distracted, a bus driver should not engage in conversation with passengers.

Truck tractors with air brakes built on or after March 1, 1997, and other vehicles with air brakes built on or after March 1, 1998, must be equipped with anti-lock brakes.

A bus should not be refueled while passengers are on board unless it is absolutely necessary. In particular, a bus with passengers on board should never be refueled inside an enclosed building.

Brake linings should not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. They shouldn't be dangerously thin.

The purpose of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to help prevent wheel lockup and help a driver maintain control of their vehicle when braking on a slippery surface.

Bus passengers should not be allowed to leave baggage in any doorway or aisle. Baggage and freight must be secured in a manner that will prevent damage, allow the driver to move freely and easily, allow riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency, and protect riders from injury if the items fall or shift.

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.

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.

When inspecting the interior of a bus, you must make sure everything is safe and in proper working condition. Take the time to ensure that each handhold and railing is securely in place and safe to be used.