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.

A cargo of hanging meat can be very unstable, both because the meat swings about in transit and because its center of gravity is high.

Transporting cargo that is loaded with a high center of gravity increases the risk that the transporting vehicle will tip over. Cargo should be loaded with a safe weight distribution.

You should cover your cargo to protect people from the cargo if it spills, as well as to protect the cargo from the weather.

Brakes out of adjustment will fade before those that are properly adjusted. Brake adjustment must be checked frequently to help prevent brake issues.

Some air brake systems contain an alcohol evaporator. An evaporator introduces alcohol into the system to help inhibit the formation of ice in cold weather.

During the on-road driving test, do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in a railroad crossing.

If a drawbridge is controlled by a traffic signal that is displaying a green light, a bus does not need to stop before crossing the bridge. However, a bus driver should always slow down before crossing a drawbridge to make sure that it is safe to proceed.

In an air brake system, air tanks have drains to remove accumulations of water and compressor oil. Allowing water and oil to accumulate in the system could cause damage to the brakes.

Proper loading and securement of cargo is essential for safety. Improperly loaded cargo could damage a vehicle, as well as cause injury or death by falling off in a collision or sudden stop.

Maneuvers that may be included in the basic vehicle control skills test include straight line backing, offset back/right parking, offset back/left parking, driver side parallel parking, conventional parallel parking, and alley docking.

Friction inside a brake drum is caused when the brake shoes and linings push against the inside of the drum. The friction in the drums will slow and stop the vehicle.

To operate a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials requiring placards, you must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.

The air compressor of an air brake system is connected to the engine through gears or a v-belt. The compressor may be air-cooled or cooled by the engine cooling system.

Spring brakes do not work on all axles. If your vehicle's spring brakes activate due to low pressure in an air brake system, your vehicle will need a longer distance to stop than usual, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.

A driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers aboard their vehicle. To avoid becoming distracted and increasing the dangers of driving, a bus driver should avoid engaging in conversation with passengers while they are driving.

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.

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.

Buses should be inspected at the end of every trip. Key safety items could have been damaged by passengers, so an inspection allows these damages to be repaired before another trip is made.

When loading cargo, it is important that the weight placed on each axle is neither too little nor too much. Inappropriate loading can interfere with steering, create inadequate wheel traction, or damage the axles.