The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) requires that all drivers conduct a pre-trip and post-trip inspection at the beginning of each shift.  These vehicle inspections are in place to ensure the safety of our drivers and passengers.  Please report any safety-related issues immediately to the management.

  1. Overview: notice the general condition.  Note any damage or if the bus is leaning to one side.  Look underneath for fresh puddles of oil, coolant, grease, or leaking fluid.
  2. Passenger Entry: The steps should not be damaged and have good tread which is secure.  The handrail should be present, secure, and undamaged.  The door should be clean, unbroken, and secure.
  3. Emergency Equipment: The first-aid kit must be present, secure, and contain the required items.  The fire extinguisher must be present and charged.
  4. Pre-Driving Adjustments and Starting the Engine: Adjust the seat, adjust all mirrors, and fasten the safety belt.  Check the door closure. Check the parking brake, depress the break pedal.  Shift to neutral.  Start engine.
  5. Check Gauges: listen for any unusual engine noises.  Check the oil pressure gauge to see that it builds normally and that no warning lights remain on.  The temperature gauge should not register “hot”. The fuel gauge should show enough fuel to complete the trip.  The battery gauge should show that the battery is being charged.
  6. Check inside Controls: The horn should be audible for at least 200 feet. The steering wheel should have less than two inches of play. Interior lights. Heaters and defrosters.  Windshield wipers. Interior lights. Headlights. Hazard flashers.
  7. Hydraulic Brake Check:  Pump the brake pedal three times.  Press the brake pedal firmly and hold for five seconds.  The brake pedal should not move.  It is moves, there might be a leaking brake line or other problem, and you must have the brakes repaired before driving the bus.
  8. Passenger Seating, Emergency Exits and Windows, Signal Check: Check seats for damage.  The seat bottoms should be securely fastened to the frames.  Check to see that all emergency exits open and close properly and that their warning buzzers operate when they are opened. Emergency door should always be secure when the bus is moving.  With emergency door open, check outside lights flashing.  Turn off flashers and turn on left turn signal.  Look in outside mirror to see if it is working in front.  Go to the rear of the bus, open emergency door, check to see if it is working.  The windows, windshield and all other glass should be clean and free of any illegal stickers or anything that blocks the driver’s view.
  9. Additional items for which a bus driver should be aware:
    1. Transmission – should start out smoothly in response to acceleration.
    2. Brakes – should not grab, lock or make excessive noise.
    3. Engine – listen for unusual noise, vibrations and lack of normal response.
    4. Steering – should respond to the driver.
    5. Suspension – bus should not sway bounce or sag.  Could have faulty shocks or springs.