Unfortunately, students are often killed by their own school bus because the driver could not see them crossing in front of or behind the bus. Students should never cross the roadway behind the bus.

Do not assume that the heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted. The weight of a cargo van changes its height. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. What you got under a bridge when you were loaded may not be what you can do when you are empty.

Air brakes are really three different braking systems, service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake:

• The service brake system applies and releases the brakes when you use the brake pedal during normal driving.
• The parking brake system applies and releases the parking brakes when you use the parking brake control.
• The emergency brake system uses parts of the service and parking brake systems to stop the vehicle in a brake system failure.

If a speed limit is posted, or there is a sign indicating “Maximum Safe Speed,” never exceed the speed shown. Also, look for and heed warning signs indicating the length and steepness of the grade.

Put your turn signal on before changing lanes. Change lanes slowly and smoothly. That way a driver you did not see may have a chance to honk their horn, or avoid your vehicle.

 In disciplinary cases, always follow written school district policy. The person ultimately responsible to discipline students is the school principal. 

You, the driver, are often the first contact children have outside their homes every day. Your attitude toward them may set the stage for their conduct for the remainder of the day. Your words and actions can have a tremendous influence. Students are affected by what they experience while they are traveling to and from school. Undesirable conduct not only makes all passengers uncomfortable, but can jeopardize their safety.

PLEASE NOTE: Your signature on the Training Report Form certifies, under penalty of law, that the information contained on the form is true and correct.

WARNING: Falsification to authorities is a misdemeanor of the third degree and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

IF YOU ARE NOT GIVEN THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF TRAINING HOURS OR YOUR IN-BUS TRAINING
WASN’T ONE-ON-ONE, DO NOT SIGN THE TRAINING REPORT FORM.

Students should wait at a specific designated place. This place should be at least 10 feet from the edge of the highway at the approved bus stop. You may often have to remind students after they board to stay back from the bus as it approaches.

On the Road Skills Test:

Finally you will be taken over a route specified by the examiner. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include: left and right turns; intersections; railroad crossings; curves; up and down grades; single or multi-lane roads; streets or highways. The examiner will score specific tasks: such as turns; merging into traffic; lane changes and speed control at specific places along the route. The examiner will also score whether you correctly do tasks such as signaling, searching for hazards, controlling speed and lane positioning.

Without ABS you still have normal brake functions. Drive and brake as you always have.

• Signal early. Signal well before you turn. It is the best way to keep others from trying to pass you.
• Signal continuously. You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely. Do not cancel the signal until you have completed the turn.
• Cancel your signal. Do not forget to turn off your turn signal after you have turned

Of all the space around your vehicle, it is the area ahead of the vehicle–the space you are driving into –that is most important.

1. Your route and the order in which students are loaded and unloaded at home and at school. 
2. Consider behavior by thinking about students who are compatible with each other and who aren’t.
3. Consider the age of the student.

When putting out the triangles, hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety. (So other drivers can see you.)

If there are two turning lanes, always take the right turn lane. Do not start in the inside lane because you may have to swing right to make the turn. Drivers on your left can be more readily seen.

Do Not Direct Traffic. Some drivers try to help out others by signaling when it is safe to pass. You should not do this. You could cause an accident. You could be blamed and it could cost you many thousands of dollars.

When you’re driving in heavy traffic, the safest speed is the speed of other vehicles. Vehicles going the same direction at the same speed are less likely to run into one another. Drive at the speed of the traffic, if you can do this without going at an illegal or unsafe speed. Keep a safe following distance.

Your position as a school bus driver is to safely transport students from one place to another. School bus drivers must be mentally alert at all times. They must keep their concentration on what they are doing.

You are responsible for how you drive and for how you feel about your students, coworkers, and position. You need to have a positive attitude, if you want to be a safe and successful school bus operator who enjoys your
work.

When driving, powerful springs are held back by air pressure. If the air pressure is removed, the springs put on the brakes.

Students are required to be included in the least restrictive (e.g., general education) environment
when appropriate, including ordinary transportation to and from school. Where this is not possible or appropriate, however, specialized transportation services are provided, often involving different types of vehicles and procedures. With this special transportation, these students can receive the education, therapy and other opportunities they need.

1. If you yell, expect yelling back, if not at you, then at someone else. 
2. If you praise, expect it to be picked up by others. 
3. Expect and encourage discussion and openness with students, and you will get it. 
4. Keep discussions short and simple. 
5. Never use profane or obscene language or raise your voice above a level necessary to be heard.

Slow to a safe speed before you enter a curve. Braking in a curve is dangerous because it is easier to lock the wheels and cause a skid. Slow down as needed. Do not ever exceed the posted speed limit for the curve. Be in a gear that will let you accelerate slightly in the curve. This will help you keep control.

This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. The decision to stop or proceed rests entirely in your hands. Passive crossings require you to recognize the crossing, search for any train using the tracks and decide if there is sufficient clear space to cross safely. Passive crossings have yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings and crossbucks to assist you in recognizing a crossing.

 Behavior is typically dependent on age and cognitive development, and can range from that of a toddler to a young adult. You should become familiar with the general characteristics for each age group with which you will be dealing, as well as how to apply positive techniques to manage student behavior. 

All school buses in Pennsylvania are equipped with a school bus eight-way light system. This system consists of two amber flashing lights and two red flashing lights mounted on the front and rear of the bus.

School buses also have a side stop arm with a stop sign and a crossing arm. The crossing control arm, which is attached to the front of the bus, causes students to walk far enough in front of the bus so the bus driver can easily see them.

To reduce fatigue, all commercial drivers/school bus drivers are required to comply with federal hours of service regulations.  When calculating your hours on duty, remember you must include all hours that you have worked, even if work is performed for another employer and did, or did not involve driving. The  number of hours that you may work depend upon the type of driving you are doing according to the table below.

Passenger – Carrying Drivers

• 10 – Hour Driving Limit
  • May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty

Remember that passengers are not permitted to stand while the bus is in motion.

a. Wait for everyone to be seated before putting the bus in motion. Otherwise, you cannot expect your passengers to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

As outlined in Unit B, in order to get students to and from school safely and on time, you need to be able to concentrate on the driving task. Loading and unloading requires all your concentration, especially considering the number of injuries and other incidents that occur during these times. Don’t take your eyes off of what is happening outside the bus. If there is a behavior problem on the bus, wait until the students have finished loading or have unloaded to a place of safety. If necessary, pull the bus over to handle the problem.

Stab braking means that you: apply your brakes all the way, and release brakes when wheels lock up. As soon as the wheels start rolling,  apply the brakes fully again.

Open the service door slightly (note this may not be possible with some automatic doors), activating the red flashing lights, side stop arm, crossing arm, and automatically deactivating the amber flashing lights of the eight-way light system;

Check traffic to assure all traffic is stopped, and open the door completely ONLY after traffic stops.

Back to the driver’s side so you can see better. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you cannot see as well. If you back and turn toward the driver’s side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window.

You are the driver and are responsible for the vehicle you are driving. Refuse to drive an unsafe bus.

No. School districts have written policies about such things. Refer such cases to your supervisor or school principal. 

Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Use your four-way flashers or brake lights to warn drivers behind you. By law, you must turn on your headlights. Penalties are increased for
violations in work zones!

Try to establish a positive relationship with your passengers. Their conduct will depend a great deal on what you say and do. Greet your students in a personable and friendly manner whenever they board your bus, and
if possible, learn their names. Your expression of interest in each child will help you to gain the confidence of your riders. Remember, an essential part of your job is to maintain discipline according to procedures established by your local school system. Since students desire recognition of their good traits and abilities, compliment good conduct, habits, and deeds.

Instruct students not to move toward the bus until the bus stops and the door opens. Make sure to count all the students while loading. This will let you know if you have picked up all of the students assigned to that stop on your roster.

When the loading zone is between 150-300 feet away (at most the length of a football field), activate
the amber flashing lights of the school bus eight-way light system to warn other vehicles. Brake gradually with the transmission in gear while approaching the stop. The greater your approach speed, the greater the distance away you should activate your amber lights.

The braking power of spring brakes depends on the brakes being in adjustment. If the brakes are not adjusted properly, neither the regular  brakes nor the emergency/parking brakes will work right.

When approaching the designated stop, start slowing down in preparation for the stop. Evaluate the stop as far in advance as possible and approach at a slow rate using extreme caution. Look for pedestrians, traffic or people who may not belong at the school bus stop.

Always watch for late-arriving students who may be running to the bus stop. Use the mirrors to check for students to the rear of the bus.