Commercial driver's guide to operation, safety and licensing

• Remember, as the driver of the school
bus, you must never leave the bus
without turning off the engine, setting
the brakes, putting the transmission
in its lowest gear (manual) or park
(automatic) position and taking
the key out.
• When you are sure that it is safe to
proceed, select an appropriate low gear.
• Release the park brake.
• Check left and right.
• Close the door.
• Cross the tracks.
• If the transmission is manual, do not shift
gears until you are clear of the last track.
Discipline and problem
solving
• You are not only responsible for the
safety of your passengers, but also
for dealing with their behaviour while
they are in the bus. Many discipline
problems are also safety problems
and should be handled quickly and
efficiently. Remember, regardless of
any problems that you may have with a
student, you cannot unload the student
at any place other than the student’s
normal destination. Only the school
administration may remove or prohibit a
student from riding a school bus.
Safe driving guidelines
• The maximum speed limit for a loaded
or unloaded school bus, under ideal
conditions, is 90 km/h or the posted
speed limit, whichever is lower.
• Do not try to make up lost time by
travelling faster than is reasonable for
road conditions or the law allows.
• When following another vehicle, always
allow enough of a space cushion. Use
the four-second following rule and
increase this distance when the road or
weather conditions are poor or when it
is difficult to see.
• Make sure all students are seated and
remain seated while the bus is moving.
Everyone must enter or leave the bus
by the front door. The rear door, by law,
should not be used unless there is an
emergency. You and your passengers
should know about the emergency
exits, emergency equipment and
evacuation procedures.
• All doors must be closed when the bus
is moving.
• When moving away from the curb,
use caution, as you do not have the
right-of-way.
• When crossing a highway, do not
proceed until the traffic is clear in
both directions.
• Never refuel a bus with passengers
aboard.
• Establish a good relationship with your
passengers. Your job will be easier
and more enjoyable.
• At the beginning of the school year it is
a good idea to hold an evacuation drill
with everyone who rides the bus. This
way, the passengers will know what to
do in case of a real emergency. Hold the
drill in a safe traffic-free area on, or next
to the school property. Work with the
school administration to set up the drill.
• There are three standard methods to
evacuate the bus, although other ways
can be used in extreme situations. The
three methods are: the front exit, the
rear exit and the front and rear exit at
the same time. In a real situation, you
CHAPTER FIVE
Operating Class 2 vehicles 59