Term
| Will you have to crawl under the hood or vehicle during the vehicle inspection? |
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Definition
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Term
| What should you look for with the leaks/hoses |
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Definition
Puddles on the ground
Dripping fluid on the underside of the engine and transmission
Inspect Hoses for condition and leaks |
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Term
| What should you look for with the oil level. |
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Definition
Indicate where the dipstick is located.
See that the oil level is within safe operating range. It must be above the refill mark. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the coolant level? |
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Definition
Inspect the reservoir sight glass OR
If the engine is not hot, remove the radiator cap and check for visible coolant level. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the power steering fluid? |
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Definition
Indicate where the power steering fluid dipstick is located.
Check for adequate power steering fluid level. It must be above the refill mark. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the engine compartment belts? |
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Definition
Check the following belts for snugness (up to 3/4 inch play at center of belt), cracks, or frays:
Power steering belt
Water pump belt
Alternator belt
Air compressor belt
Note: If any of the components listed above are not belt driven, you must tell the examiner which components are not belt driven AND make sure the components are operating properly, not damaged or leaking, and mounted securely. |
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Term
| What should you do to ensure a safe start to the drive? |
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Definition
Depress the clutch.
Place the gearshift lever in neutral (or park for automatic transmissions).
Start the engine and then release the clutch slowly. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the oil pressure guage? |
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Definition
Make sure it is working.
Check that it shows increasing or normal pressure or that the warning light goes off.
If equipped, oil temperature gauge should begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the temperature guage? |
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Definition
Make sure it is working.
Temperature should begin to climb to normal or the light should be off. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the air guage? |
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Definition
Make sure it is working properly
Build air pressure to governor cut-out, roughly 120-140 psi |
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Term
| What should you look for with the ammeter/voltmeter. |
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Definition
| Check that the gauges show alternator and/or generator is charging or that the warning light is off. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the mirrors/windshield. |
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Definition
Mirrors should be clean and adjusted properly from the inside.
Windshield should be clean with no illegal stickers, no obstructions, and no damage to the glass. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the emergency equipment? |
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Definition
Check for spare electrical fuses, three red reflective triangles, 6 fusees or 3 liquid burning flares, and check for a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
Note: If the vehichle is not equipped with electrical fuses, you must mention this to the examiner. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the wipers/washers? |
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Definition
Check that the wiper arms and blades are secure, not damaged, and operate smoothly.
If equipped, windshield washers must operate correctly. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the lights/reflectors/reflector tape condition (sides & rear)? |
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Definition
Test that dash indicators work when corresponding lights are turned on:
Left turn signal, right turn signal, four-way flashers, high beam, & ABS
Check that all external lights and reflective equipment are clean and functional. Including:
Clearance lights (red on rear, amber elsewhere), Headlights, taillights, backing lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, red reflectors on rear and amber reflectors elsewhere, and the reflector tape condition.
Note: Checks of brake, turn signal, and four-way flasher functions must be done seaparately. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the horn? |
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Definition
| Check that air horn and/or electric horn work. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the heater/defroster? |
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Definition
| Test that the heater and defroster work. |
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Term
| How should you check parking brake functionality? |
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Definition
| With the brake engaged, check that it will hold the vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with the parking brake on. |
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Term
| How should you check hydraulic brake functionality? |
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Definition
Pump the brake pedal three times, then hold it down for five seconds. The pedal should not move during the five seconds.
If equipped with a hydraulic brake backup system, with the key off, depress the brake pedal and listen for the sound of the reserve system electric motor.
Check that the warning buzzer or light is off. |
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Term
| We don't have air brakes on the bus, right? |
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Definition
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Term
| How should you check the service brake? |
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Definition
| Seems like something that accompanies air brakes so I'm guessing we don't have it. |
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Term
| What should you check for with the safety belt? |
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Definition
| Check that it is securely mounted, adjusts, latches properly, and is not ripped or frayed. |
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Term
| All previous questions are for Section 11.1. The Internal Inspection. |
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Definition
| The following questions are for Section 11.2, the External Inspection. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the steering box/hoses. |
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Definition
Check that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking. Look for any missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys.
Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the steering linkage? |
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Definition
See that connecting links, arms, and rods from the steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked.
Check that the joints and sockets are not worn or loose and that there are no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the springs/air/torque in the vehicle's suspension? |
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Definition
Look for missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaf springs.
Look for broken or distorted coil springs.
If the vehicle is equipped with torsion bars, torque arms, or other types of suspension components, check that they are not damaged and are mounted securely.
Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the mounts. |
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Definition
| Look for cracked or broken spring hangers, missing or damaged bushings, and broken, loose, or missing bolts, u-bolts or other axle mounting parts. (The mounts should be checked at each point where they are secured to the vehicle frame and axle[s]. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the shock absorbers? |
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Definition
See that shock absorbers are secure and that there are no leaks.
(Be prepared to perform the same inspection on every axle). |
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Term
| What should you look for with the Slack Adjustors and Pushrods (brakes) |
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Definition
Look for broken, loose, or missing parts.
For manual slack adjustors, the brake pushrod should not move more than one inch (with the brakes released) when pulled by hand. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the brake chambers? |
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Definition
| See that brake chambers are not leaking, cracked, or dented and are mounted securely. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the brake hoses/lines. |
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Definition
| Look for cracked, worn, or leaking hoses, lines, and couplings. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the drum brake. |
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Definition
Check for cracks, dents, or holes. Also check for loose or missing bolts.
Check for contaminates such as debris or oil/grease.
Brake linings (where visible) should not be worn dangerously thin. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the brake linings. |
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Definition
On some brake drums, there are openings where the brake linings can be seen from outside the drum. For this type of drum, check that a visible amount of brake lining is showing.
Note; Be prepared to perform the same brake components inspection on every axle. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the rims. |
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Definition
| Check for damaged or bent rims. |
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Term
| Can rims have welding repairs? |
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Definition
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Term
| What should you look for with the tires? |
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Definition
Tread depth: minimum 4/32 on steering axle tires, 2/32 on all other tires.
Condition: Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken, or damaged.
Inflation: Check for proper inflationnby using a tire gauge. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the hub oil seals/axle seals? |
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Definition
| See that hub oil/grease seals and axle seals are not leaking and, if wheel has a sight glass, oil level is adequate. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the lug nuts? |
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Definition
Check that they are all present, free of cracks and distortions, and show no signs of looseness such as rust trails or shiny heads.
Make sure all bolt holes are not cracked or distorted. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the spacers or budd spacing? |
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Definition
If equipped, check that spacers are not bent, damaged, or rusted through.
Spacers should be evenly centered with the dual wheels and tires evenly separated. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the doors/mirrors? |
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Definition
Check that the doors are not damaged and that they open and close properly from the outside.
Hinges should be secure with seals intact.
Check that mirrors and brackets are not damaged and are mounted securely with no loose fittings. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the fuel tank? |
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Definition
| Check that the tank is secure, caps are tights, and that there are no leaks from tanks or lines. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the drive shaft? |
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Definition
See that the drive shaft is not bent or cracked.
Couplings should be secure and free of foreign objects. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the exhaust system? |
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Definition
Check for system damage and signs of leaks such as rust or carbon soot.
System should be connected tightly and mounted securely. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the frame? |
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Definition
| Look for cracks, broken welds, holes or other damage to the longitudinal frame members, cross members, box, and floor. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the splash guards? |
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Definition
| If equipped, check that they are not damaged and that they are mounted securely. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the rearvdoors/ties/lifts? |
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Definition
Check that doors and hinges are not damaged and that they open, close, and latch properly from the outside if equipped.
Ties, straps, chains, and binders must also be seure.
No cargo lift on our bus. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the emergency equipment? |
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Definition
In addition to checking for spare electrical fuses, reflective triangles, and the fire extinguisher, school bus drivers must also check the following light indicators.
Alternately flashing red lights indicator
Alternately flashing amber lights indicator if equipped
Strobe light indicator if equipped. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the lights/refletors? |
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Definition
In addition to check the lights/reflectors mentioned earlier, check the following.
Strobe light if equipped
Stop arm light if equipped
Alternately flashing amber lights if equipped
Alternately flashing red lights. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the student mirrors? |
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Definition
Check the internal and external mirrors for observing students.
Check for proper adjustment.
Check that all internal and external mirrors are not damaged and are mounted securely with no loose fittings.
Check that visibility is not impaired due to dirty mirrors. |
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Term
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Definition
| Assuming we don't have to worry about this one since this is a leisure bus. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the passenger entry/lift? |
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Definition
Check that the entry door is not damaged, operates smoothly, and closes securely from the inside.
Hand rails are secure and step light is working if equipped
Entry steps must be clear with the treads and not loose or worn excessively.
No handicap lift. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the emergency exit? |
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Definition
Make sure that all emergency exits are not damaged, operate smoothly, and close securely from the inside.
Check that any emergency exit warning devices are working. |
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Term
| What should you look for with the seating? |
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Definition
Look for broken seat frames and check that seat frames are firmly attached to the floor.
Check that seat cushions are attached securely to the seat frames. |
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