Vehicle Training

1
Vehicle Training

• NHTSA School Bus Driver
• In-Service Safety Series

2
Vehicle Training

• NHTSA School Bus Driver
• In-Service Safety Series

3
Module Purpose

• Describe the handling characteristics of each
  bus.
• Recognize when the mirrors on a bus are properly
  adjusted.
• Use the mirrors to gauge the space around the bus
  and to back up.
• Pass the wheelbase test.

4

• Handling Characteristics
• Every bus is different

5
Some Differences

• How they stop and start
• Turning radius
• How they back up
• Mirror adjustments
• How much tail swing
• Placement of wheels

6

• Mirrors
• How to adjust your mirrors properly

7
Why Proper Adjustment Matters

• To see around the bus
• To see what the rear axles is doing in a turn
• To back up safely
• To eliminate blind spots around the vehicle

8

• Backing the Bus
• How to back the bus when there are no other safe
  ways to move

9
Using a Lookout

• The lookout should warn you about obstacles,
  approaching persons and vehicles.
• The lookout should not give you directions on how
  to back the bus.

10

• Turning
• Making left and right turns

11
Turning Differences

• 64-passenger conventional bus
• 35 feet long
• Wheel base of 21 1/3 feet
• Turning radius of about 58 feet
• 78-passenger transit-style bus
• 37 feet long
• Wheel base of 18 feet
• Turning radius of about 36 feet

12
The Perfect Right Turn

• Entire bus clears curb at corner
• Bus stays in its own lane of traffic as much as
  possible

13
The Perfect Left Turn

• Bus stays in its own lane of traffic as much as
  possible