Pre-trip Inspection

Driver vehicle inspections are an important part of the overall safe operation of a School Bus. A quality pre-trip inspection by a Driver can identify a defective equipment before it fails and saves the Driver, the School and Guardian One Transport from expensive roadside repairs, property damage, down time and fines.

Objective

The main objectives of conducting pre-trip inspections are to ensure the School buses are safe to operate, prevent loss to people and property, and prevent un-manifested items being placed on board and to ensure strict compliance to regulatory requirements

Safety Precaution by Drivers

During the pre-trip inspection, the school bus driver should use the following safety precautions:

Do not get under, in front or behind the school bus as chances are it will move
The school bus Driver should keep the ignition key under his control at all times
Ensure that wheel chocks are used on inclines
Use care while entering and exiting the vehicle
Use three points of contact and make note of the foot and handholds
Never jump out of or off a school bus

Pre-trip Inspection Guidelines

The bus Driver must thoroughly perform an inspection of his bus each time that it is put into service. The bus attendant assigned to the route must assist the bus driver. The following are the activities to be carried out during pre-trip inspection:

Check and inspect the bus in the morning and again when the bus is back into service in the return trip in the afternoon even if nothing was noted wrong the night before or after the morning runs.
Complete the Pre-Trip Inspection Form each time and get it checked with your team leader, even if you find nothing wrong with your bus.
If defect(s) is found the driver must note each problem and/or malfunction on the Pre-Trip form and submit it to the foreman immediately, who in turn will send the vehicle to the workshop for mechanic’s review.
In case the vehicle cannot be used for the assigned trip, notify your foreman and transport supervisor immediately who will coordinate and arrange for replacement bus. The driver should ensure to inspect and carry out a Pre-Trip inspection for the spare bus also.
Never drive a bus if you find something wrong with it unless the mechanic clears the driver to do so. We might compromise on student safety, their lives, or cause a violation of traffic laws. Performing a proper pre-trip could possibly keep the driver out of a crash or keep him from being stranded on the road.

Procedure for a Pre-trip Inspection of the School

Bus

The school bus Driver should carry out a pre-trip inspection of the school bus commencement of each trip. The Pre-trip Inspection of the school bus is carried out in the following sequence:

Approaching the school bus
Check from the driver’s seat
Checking switches and interior controls / indicators
Checking of all emergency equipment’s
Walk around outside
Inside bus check
Departure

While Approaching the School Bus

The Driver must check the exterior of the bus for

Vandalism
Damage
Defaced color, debris such as broken glass, bottles, nails, flat tires, open/broken windows, doors or hood.
Checking of all emergency equipments
Broken lens covers and reflectors

From the Driver’s Seat

Adjust the seat so that the steering wheel, brake pedal, accelerator, and all controls can be reached comfortably.
Adjust the seat belt.
Check windshield, side windows, and mirrors for cleanliness and cracks.
Check all mirrors for proper adjustment. If needed, ask for assistance to adjust or tighten mirrors
Student overhead, inside, rearview
Right and left side Flat mirrors
Right and left side convex mirrors
Right and left side cross view mirrors
Check operation of service door and latch, either manual or air-equipped
Make sure parking brake is applied
Turn key to activate the ignition switch, and “Wait to Start” light comes on and goes off before starting bus.
Make sure transmission lever is in “N” (neutral) position.
Check that air conditioner is off.
Start engine. Never accelerate: let it warm up at idle.

Check switches and interior controls/indicators

Horn
Washers and wipers, high and low. See if wiping cleanly.
Dome lights, turn on and off
Headlights, low beam, high beam.
Activate master switch, then check amber student lights, then red student lights and flashing stop signs
Turn signal: Indicator Light check left and right, four-way emergency flashers, check indicator, leave on
Clearance and running lights: turn on with headlights
Check air conditioning system. Leave on if warm

Emergency Equipments

Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Belt cutter
Emergency door opener

Tyres

Check pressure
Check tires for cuts, damage, bubbles, and tread wear.
Check hub seals for leaks
Check lug nut bolts for looseness, distortion, rust, or missing
Check rims for cracks or dents
Check outside side-view and convex mirrors, must be securely mounted and clean
Hood latches secure.
Lens covers securely mounted, not cracked, clean
Wiper blades flush mounted, soft and flexible

Front

Red student warning lights, flashing and clean lens covers not cracked or missing
Clearance lights, clean; lens cover in place
Lettering legible
Four-way emergency flasher, clean and flashing
Headlights, functions and clean
Crossover mirrors, securely mounted and clean
Safety guard crossing arm, extended and at right angle to bumper
Parking lights and lens covers.

Driver’s Left Side

Battery box door, closed and secure
Two warning stop arms, extended with red lights flashing
Clearance Lights, working, clean.
Lettering, legible
Reflector: clean, not missing, not cracked
Tires and rims on rear axle: check same as front.
Check spacing between tires, no objects between tires
Side emergency door, if equipped. Open and close securely

Rear of Bus

Rear lights, illuminated and clean. No cracked or missing lens covers
Red student warning lights—flashing and clean
Clearance lights, working and clean
Four–way emergency flashers, working and clean
License plate and light – in place, working, and clean
Lettering, legible
Emergency door, open wide from outside, closes securely. Glass clean, not cracked
Exhaust pipe, tap foot lightly on pipe to verify, securely mounted
Check for damage
Strobe light flashing

Driver’s Right Side

Same as left side
Fuel tank cap, securely mounted
Service door- moves on track, glass intact and clean
Handrail is secure. Rubber mat is securely screwed down on the steps
Stairwell light is working
Lift buses: Check lift door and lift for proper functioning
Sunwin or MCV buses: cargo doors closed securely

Front Light Check

Driver’s seat: Leave engine running and parking brake on
Close door and latch
De-activate four-way flashers and switch student warning lights to amber: stop arms should retract
Front: Amber Student warning lights, flashing amber Right turn signal. Left turn signal.
Low beam, leave on low

Rear Light Check

Student warning lights, flashing amber
Brake lights
Backup lights
Note: Ask bus attendant or co-worker for assistance in checking rear student warning, brake, and backup lights.
Bus Drivers are never to leave the driver’s seat with the engine running and the bus in gear, even if the parking brake on

Right Front Tires

Check pressure
Check tires for cuts, damage, bubbles, and tread wear.
Check hub seals for leaks
Check lug nut bolts for looseness, distortion, rust, or missing
Check rims for cracks or dents
Check outside side-view and convex mirrors, must be securely mounted and clean
Hood latches secure.
Lens covers securely mounted, not cracked, clean
Wiper blades flush mounted, soft and flexible

Front

Red student warning lights, flashing and clean lens covers not cracked or missing
Clearance lights, clean; lens cover in place
Lettering legible
Four-way emergency flasher, clean and flashing
Headlights, functions and clean
Crossover mirrors, securely mounted and clean
Safety guard crossing arm, extended and at right angle to bumper
Parking lights and lens covers.

Left Driver’s Side

Battery box door, closed and secure
Two warning stop arms, extended with red lights flashing
Clearance Lights, working, clean.
Lettering, legible
Reflector: clean, not missing, not cracked
Tires and rims on rear axle: check same as front.
Check spacing between tires, no objects between tires
Side emergency door, if equipped. Open and close securely

Rear of Bus

Rear lights, illuminated and clean. No cracked or missing lens covers
Red student warning lights—flashing and clean
Clearance lights, working and clean
Four–way emergency flashers, working and clean
License plate and light – in place, working, and clean
Lettering, legible
Emergency door, open wide from outside, closes securely. Glass clean, not cracked
Exhaust pipe, tap foot lightly on pipe to verify, securely mounted
Check for damage
Strobe light flashing

Right Side of Bus

Same as left side
Fuel tank cap, securely mounted
Service door- moves on track, glass intact and clean
Handrail is secure. Rubber mat is securely screwed down on the steps
Stairwell light is working
Lift buses: Check lift door and lift for proper functioning
Sunwin or MCV buses: cargo doors closed securely

Walk Down Aisle-Check

General cleanliness of bus
Front of seat backs and seat cushions for damage, need for repair, and for looseness
Seat cushions and frames for looseness
Seat belts in buses for tears, cuts, twisting, and wear; keep the seat belts ready to use condition.
Rear windows for cleanliness
Rear emergency door or emergency window opener
Remove No Passenger Board & scan before commencement of the trip

Walk Up Aisle-Check

Seat backs for damage or need for repair
Seat backs for looseness
Window on both sides, condition of latches, cleanliness
Emergency roof hatches: open and close; ensure availability of emergency window opener
Side emergency door, if equipped: open wide and check