Before slowing down, it can be a good idea to lightly tap your brakes. This will cause your brake lights to flash, providing a warning to motorists behind you.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be much water on the road for this to occur.

When arriving at a final destination or intermediate stop, a bus driver should remind passengers to take their belongings with them when exiting the bus. It is best for the driver to make this announcement before the bus comes to a complete stop.

During the vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to do a complete inspection of your vehicle. You will need to explain what you are inspecting and why.

The added weight of a heavy load will make a vehicle sit lower than usual. A vehicle will often be taller when carrying a light load than when carrying a heavy load. If your vehicle fits under an overpass while carrying a full load, it is not guaranteed that it will fit under the same overpass if it is empty.

Before backing up, you should get out of your vehicle and look at your line of travel. Check your clearance to the sides and overhead.

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.

On a bus, it is permissible to lock some emergency roof hatches in an open position to allow in fresh air. However, this should not be a regular practice.

Drivers of vehicles equipped with ABS and drivers of vehicles without ABS should brake in relatively the same manner. When ABS is working properly, it automatically applies when brakes are applied in situations that may create lockup.

A faulty exhaust system is a serious safety hazard. It may allow poisonous fumes to enter the vehicle's cab or sleeper berth.

The vehicle inspection test will include a check of the oil level. You must show that it is within a safe operating range.

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.

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.

A steering wheel should be held firmly with both hands, placed on opposite sides of the wheel.

During a pre-trip inspection, you should verify that the air pressure is neither too low nor too high in any of your tires.

Before slowing down, it is a good idea to flash your brake lights by lightly tapping your brake pedal a few times. This will warn drivers behind you of your plans to slow down.

You should be cautious when you are near people who are not paying attention to the road. Drivers and pedestrians who are talking to someone may be distracted by the conversation and not fully paying attention to the road. Workers on or near the road may not be paying attention to traffic because they are focused on their work, and can themselves also be a distraction to drivers.

Be cautious when driving near people who are working on a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. They may be focused on the repair and not paying attention to nearby traffic.

Most cases of hydraulic brake failure come from one of two causes. The brakes may fail due to a loss of hydraulic pressure or due to overuse on long hills, causing the brakes to fade.

Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of each trip. Any attached trailer should be straight while mirrors are being adjusted.