Modernized CDL School Bus Pre-Trip Inspection

Modern School Bus Pre-Trip Inspection

Once you have completed the federally required Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory and behind the wheel (road and range) mandated training, the next step to gaining your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) are the three basic skills formal tests. The three tests and the order for which they must be completed are as follows: the Pre-Trip, Basic Control Skills, and the Road Course. This article discusses the Pre-Trip Inspection.

During the modernized version of the Pre-Trip Inspection skills test for the air brake equipped school bus, you will check the safety critical items found on the CDL Class B Checklist with the Passenger and School Bus only items.

When you are completing the inspection test, you must name and point to or touch each safety critical item, and fully explain what you are inspecting (you must ensure the tester knows what you are referring to). You will be graded on whether you know what to check each part for, and not necessarily that you know the specific names of the parts. You will have to check only the items on the Class A Checklist.

A full step by step video demonstration of the Pre-trip inspection procedure. A written checklist can be found below the video to help with your study.

For the modernized version of the Pre-Trip Inspection, you are allowed to use a checklist (download it here). When you use the checklist during the official test, there can be no additional marks or notes on the list.

Modernized Pre-Trip Inspection Class B "School Bus" Checklist Items

Begin the vehicle's inspection In-Vehicle/Engine Start section. During the test, you will only be required to inspect one of the vehicle's axles. The test requires you to only inspect the driver's side unless the item is only on the passenger side; for example, the engine compartment.

In-Vehicle/Engine Start (need to demonstrate all mechanisms)

Air Brake Check: Four parts, must get all parts correct or it is an automatic failure
1. Air gauge (Part 1).
  1. Working (approximately 120 to 140 psi).
  2. Identify when the cut-off pressure achieved (state the pressure).
2. Air leaks (Part 2).
  1. Turn engine off.
  2. Turn key to the "on" position.
  3. Release brakes.
  4. Apply foot brake.
  5. Let the air gauge settle.
  6. With the window down, depress and hold the foot brake for one minute. Listen for leaks. (Allowed to use cell phone as your timer -- Cannot lose more than four pounds of pressure).
3. Low air warning device (Part 3).
  1. Engine still off with the key in the "on" position.
  2. State, "The low air warning device must activate at 55 psi or above."
  3. Apply and release (fan) the foot brake to lower air pressure until the low air warning device activates.
  4. Once the low air warning device is activated, state, "The low air warning device activated at (actual psi observed)."
4. Emergency brake(s) test (Part 4).
  1. Engine still off with the key in the "on" position.
  2. State, "Parking brakes should pop, release, or close between 20 to 45 psi."
  3. Apply and release (fan) the foot brake to lower air pressure until the parking brakes activate by closing or "popping out."
  4. Once the parking brakes activate, say, "The parking brakes activated at (actual psi observed)."
Parking Brake Check
1. School Bus parking brake check.
  1. Activate parking brake.
  2. Put vehicle in forward gear and gently tug to feel brake is holding.
Service Brake Check
1. Foot brake.
  1. Put vehicle in forward gear and accelerate to approximately 5 mph.
  2. Apply foot brake and state if pedal works properly.
  3. Check for (no) pull in the steering wheel to left or right (hold lightly).
Lighting Indicators
1. At Start of Engine
  1. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) light dashboard-on then off (working properly), if equipped.
  2. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) light dashboard-on then off (gauge depicts more than 1/8^th of a tank of DEF fluid), if equipped.
2. After Start of Engine
  1. Left turn signal.
  2. Right turn signal.
  3. 4-way flashers.
  4. High beam headlight (turn on headlight switch).
Safety/Emergency Equipment
1. must have fire extinguisher
  1. mounted.
  2. charged.
2. three triangles
  1. red.
  2. reflective.
3. spare fuses or breakers (whichever the school bus is equipped with).
Windshield
1. Three inspection items
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked.
  3. No stickers (obstructions).
Monitoring Devices
1. Mirrors
  1. Clean.
  2. Adjusted properly.
2. Cameras (if equipped)
  1. Clean.
  2. Adjusted for viewing.
  3. Display working properly.
Wipers
1. Wiper arms
  1. Secure to vehicle.
  2. Not broken (damaged).
2. Wiper Blades
  1. Not split or cut (damage).
  2. Secure to wiper arm.
3. Washer Fluid
  1. Squirts on windshield.
4. Demonstrate the operation of the wipers and washer fluid.
Heater/Defroster
1. Heater
  1. Activate heater, turn on.
  2. Activate defroster, turn on.
Horn
1. Electric horn.
  1. Sound the horn.

Passenger and School Bus Only

Lighting Indicators
1. Strobe light indicator.
  1. Illuminates when activated.
  2. Not broken.
2. Flashing amber indicator.
  1. Illuminates when activated.
  2. Flashes on and off.
  3. Not broken.
3. Flashing red indicator.
  1. Illuminates when activated.
  2. Flashes on and off.
  3. Not broken.
Safety/Emergency Equipment
1. First Aid Kit.
  1. Present and seal not broken (missing items).
2. Body Fluid Kit.
  1. Present and seal not broken (missing items).
Passenger Entry
1. Passenger Entry Door.
  1. Not damaged.
  2. Operates smoothly.
  3. Closes securely.
2. Passenger Handrails.
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not bent or broken.
3. Passenger Step Light.
  1. Working properly.
  2. Clean.
  3. Not cracked.
4. Passenger Entry Steps.
  1. Clear of obsticles.
  2. Tread not loose or worn.
Emergency Exits (at least one exit MUST be demonstrated)
1. Window Exits
  1. labeled.
  2. Not damaged.
  3. Operate smoothly from inside and outside.
  4. Closes securely from inside.
2. Ceiling Exits
  1. labeled.
  2. Not damaged.
  3. Operate smoothly from inside and outside.
  4. Closes securely from inside.
3. Rear Exit
  1. labeled.
  2. Not damaged.
  3. Operate smoothly from inside and outside.
  4. Closes securely from inside.
Seats
1. Frame
  1. Not broken.
  2. Securely mounted to the floor.
2. Seat Cushions
  1. Attached securely to seat frames.
Student and Strobe Lights (safely exit the vehicle while facing forward and maintaining a firm grasp on the handrail.)
1. Strobe Light.
  1. Lense
    1. Clean.
    2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
    3. Not missing.
  2. Light
    1. Operational; flashing.
2. Student Light (amber).
  1. Lenses (front and rear)
    1. Clean.
    2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
    3. Not missing.
    4. Proper color, amber.
  2. Lights (front and rear)
    1. Operational; alternately flashing.
3. Student Light (red).
  1. Lenses (front and rear)
    1. Clean.
    2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
    3. Not missing.
    4. Proper color, red.
  2. Lights (front and rear)
    1. Operational; alternately flashing.
Traffic Stop Arms
1. Stop Arms.
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not bent or broken; no loose parts.
  3. Extends fully when activated (Must demonstrate).
2. Lenses (front and rear/front and back)
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
  3. Not missing.
  4. Proper color, red.
3. Lights (front and rear)
  1. Operational; alternately flashing.
Student Safety Arm
1. Safety Arm.
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not bent or broken.
  3. Extends fully (Must demonstrate).
  4. Functions in conjunction with the stop arm.

Exterior Lights Operation Check

Must check all functions of the lights in front, sides, and the rear of the vehicle.
1. Turn on headlights and left turn signal.
  1. Check for proper operation of headlights.
  2. Check for proper operation of left turn signal from front, the driver's side and the rear of the school bus.
  3. Check clearance lights on the front, the driver's side of the school bus.
2. Turn on high beams and right turn signal
  1. Check for proper operation of high beams.
  2. Check for proper operation of right turn signal from front, the passenger's side and the rear of the school bus.
  3. Check clearance lights on the passenger's side of the school bus.
3. Activate 4-Way flashers
  1. Check for proper operation of 4-way flashers from front, the passenger's side and the rear of the school bus, and the driver's side and the rear of the school bus.
4. Check the brake lights (you may ask for your tester's assistance)
  1. Check for proper operation of the brake lights on the rear of the school bus.

Front of the Vehicle and Engine Compartment Checks

Front of the Vehicle
1. Lenses
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked or broken (damaged).
  3. Color (amber).
  4. None are missing.
2. Under vehicle
  1. Check for oil and/or fluid puddles.
Engine Compartment
1. Engine oil level
  1. Point to the oil dipstick.
  2. State, "The oil level on the dipstick is between add and full."
2. Coolant level
  1. Point to the coolant reservoir.
  2. State, "The reservoir fluid is between hot and cold."
3. Power steering fluid level
  1. Point to the power steering fluid reservoir.
  2. State, "The power steering fluid level is between add and full."
4. Look for fluid leaks
  1. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the ground under the vehicle.
  2. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the engine (both sides).
  3. Check for excessive fluid leaks on the transmission.
5. Compressed air leaks
  1. Check hoses and air lines for leaks (both sides of the engine).
Steering System Components
1. Power steering box
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not leaking.
2. Power steering hoses
  1. Not split or cut (damage).
  2. Not leaking.
  3. Securely mounted.
3. Steering linkage
  1. Not bent or broken (damage).
4. Castle nuts & cotter keys
  1. Tight.
  2. Not not missing.
5. Steering linkage sockets
  1. Not wore or loose.

Steering Axle

Front axle suspension
1. Spring mounts
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not cracked (damage).
2. Leaf springs
  1. All in alignment (straight).
  2. Not cracked (damage).
  3. None missing.
3. Shock absorber
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not bent or broken.
  3. Not leaking.
4. Air bags (if equipped)
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Not leaking.
5. Ensure the vehicle is level
  1. Check vehicle is level from both side to side and front to back.
Front axle air brakes
1. Compressed air hoses
  1. Can supply air.
  2. Not leaking.
  3. Fittings are secure.
  4. Not split of cut (damaged).
2. Brake drums and linings
  1. No contaminants (grease or oil).
Front wheel
1. Tire
  1. Minimum 4/32” tread depth (tread depth gauge).
  2. Tread evenly worn.
  3. Not swollen, no cuts on sidewalls.
  4. Check the valve stem is accessible and has a cap.
  5. Check tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge.
2. Rim
  1. No cracks, and not bent (damage).
  2. Has no aftermarket welds.
  3. No distorted (out of round) lug nut holes.
3. Lug nuts
  1. None missing.
  2. No broken studs.
  3. No rust trails or shiny threads (shows looseness).

Side of Vehicle

Side of vehicle
1. Lenses
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked (damage).
  3. Proper color (amber).
  4. Not missing.
2. Reflectors
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked (damage).
  3. Proper color (amber).
  4. Not missing.
Monitoring devices
1. Mirror
  1. Bracket not broken (damage).
  2. Bracket securely mounted.
  3. Glass is clean.
  4. Glass is not cracked (damage).
2. Cameras (if equipped)
  1. Clean.
  2. Adjusted for viewing.
Battery system
1. Batteries and cables
  1. Batteries are secure.
  2. Connections are clean, not corroded.
  3. Cables are secure to the battery; insulated, and not chafed.
  4. Battery box and lid are secure.
Fuel tanks
1. Fuel Tank
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Cap is secure.
  3. Not leaking from tank, cap, or fuel lines.
2. DEF Tank
  1. Securely mounted.
  2. Cap is secure.
  3. Not leaking from tank, cap, or fuel lines.
Frame
1. Longitude Rail
  1. Straight.
  2. Not cracked (damage).
2. Cross members
  1. Straight.
  2. Not cracked (damage).
3. Floor
  1. No holes.
  2. Not cracked.

Rear of Vehicle

Rear of trailer
1. Lenses
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked.
  3. Proper color (red).
  4. None missing.
2. Reflectors
  1. Clean.
  2. Not cracked.
  3. Proper color (red).
  4. None missing.

Videos are a great way to supplement your learning experience, but attending a certified, formalized truck driving school would be a way of ensuring you gain the knowledge and skills required to achieve your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Nothing can replace the actual behind the wheel driving experience! Classes convene regularly, so call (352)794-6080, and reserve your drive time, now!

Modern CDL Class B Pre-Trip School Bus Checklist

Modern School Bus Pre-Trip Inspection

Modernized Pre-Trip Inspection Class B "School Bus" Checklist Items

In-Vehicle/Engine Start (need to demonstrate all mechanisms)

Passenger and School Bus Only

Exterior Lights Operation Check

Front of the Vehicle and Engine Compartment Checks

Steering Axle

Side of Vehicle

Rear of Vehicle

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