The driver of a school bus should observe students as they enter or exit the bus to ensure that they are not caught in the door or handrails. It is also important to make sure the students have moved a safe distance away from the unloading area after they have exited the bus.

When asked to make a turn during the on-road driving test, you must check traffic in all directions and use your turn signal.

When exiting your vehicle during the basic vehicle control skills test, you must face the vehicle and maintain three points of contact at all times. If your testing vehicle is a bus, you must maintain contact with the handrail. Exiting the vehicle incorrectly may result in automatic failure of the basic control skills test.

The adjustment of all mirrors on a school bus should always be checked before the bus is driven.

During the vehicle inspection test, you should check that the drive shaft is not bent or cracked.

You may be asked to complete a parallel parking maneuver into a parking space that is to the left of your vehicle. You should drive past the parking space before backing into it while bringing the rear of your vehicle as close to the rear of the space as possible. Your vehicle should be completely within the boundaries of the space.

If you are asked to alley dock, you should first pull past the alley and stop your vehicle in a position that is parallel to the outer boundary. From there, you should back your vehicle entirely into the alley parking area. Your vehicle should be parked in a straight position within the boundaries of the parking space.

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.

You should finish each exercise with your vehicle in the exact position described by the examiner. You can be penalized for failing to complete an exercise exactly in the manner described by the examiner, potentially resulting in failure of the basic control skills test.

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.

Once you have stopped as a part of the stop/start maneuver during the on-road driving skills test, you must activate your four-way flashers and shift into neutral or park. You must not block any driveways, intersections, fire hydrants, or signs.

If a school bus is equipped with alternating flashing amber warning lights, they should be activated at least 200 feet before a stop, unless state law requires otherwise.

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.

Pre-trip inspections should be conducted in the same way every time. This will reinforce the steps, making it less likely that you will forget to inspect something important.

A school bus driver should always approach bus stops slowly and cautiously.

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.

During the basic vehicle control skills test, a pull-up will be scored any time an applicant stops and pulls forward to gain a better position. Stopping without changing direction will not. An excessive number of pull-ups will count as errors.

During the on-road driving skills test, you will be evaluated on your gear usage. Select a gear that does not rev or lug the engine; avoid grinding and clashing gears; and avoid shifting through turns or intersections.

When exiting your vehicle during the basic vehicle control skills test, you must face the vehicle and maintain three points of contact at all times. If your testing vehicle is a bus, you must maintain contact with the handrail. Exiting the vehicle incorrectly may result in automatic failure of the basic control skills test.

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