Unit E-3: Defensive Driving

The “Defensive Driving” section of the Manitoba School Bus Licence Test is essential for ensuring the safety of students and other road users.

Manitoba School Bus Test - Unit E-3: Defensive Driving

1 / 30

When driving at 100 KPH at night, why is it more dangerous in relation to your headlights?

Your stopping distance is shorter than your headlight range

You will need more than 110 metres / 358 feet to stop, so you are overdriving your headlights

Your headlights automatically dim at this speed

You will always have enough distance to stop safely

2 / 30

What is the driver advised to do when choosing between arriving late and driving too fast for conditions?

Skip some stops to stay on time

Speed up only in clear stretches

Maintain schedule at all costs

Always choose to adjust speed and schedule, even if late

3 / 30

When your view of cross-traffic at an intersection is obstructed, you should:

Slow or stop to see cross-traffic better

Proceed at your normal speed

Honk the horn and continue without slowing

Rely on other vehicles to warn you

4 / 30

How does spending long periods in bright sun during the day affect night driving, if you do not wear sunglasses?

It increases the time your eyes need to adjust to night lighting and reduces night vision

It only causes temporary tiredness, not vision issues

It improves your night vision by strengthening your eyes

It has no effect on night driving ability

5 / 30

If the wheels start to spin on a slippery surface, what should the driver do?

Press the accelerator harder to power through

Turn the steering wheel sharply

Let up slightly on the accelerator to allow the wheels to take hold

Apply the parking brake briefly

6 / 30

Heavy wind can cause a school bus to lose control primarily because:

The tires automatically lose air pressure

The brakes stop working in high wind

The bus engine loses power in wind

The side of the bus acts like a sail in crosswinds

7 / 30

After driving through deep water or snowdrifts, what should the driver do about the brakes?

Avoid using them until the next stop

Assume they will work normally without checking

Apply them hard several times while stopped

Check them and apply them lightly while moving to help dry them out

8 / 30

When dealing with road terrain such as curves, hills, or dips, good drivers should:

Focus only on the vehicle behind them

Ignore the terrain and maintain constant speed

Scan ahead, watch road signs, and adjust speed

Drive in the center of the road at all times

9 / 30

To maintain proper visual surveillance, a driver should:

Stare at one object for as long as possible

Always scan around the bus – front, sides, and rear

Focus only on the road directly in front of the bus

Look only in the mirrors, not through the windshield

10 / 30

What is a common cause of accidents in adverse weather?

Students distracting the driver

Road maintenance crews working too slowly

The weather itself, which cannot be managed

Drivers who do not adjust their driving to meet conditions

11 / 30

At the crest of a hill, a defensive school bus driver should:

Move toward the center line

Keep to the right

Increase speed to clear the hill faster

Turn on high beams regardless of conditions

12 / 30

A key recommendation for visual scanning is to:

Shift focus only when approaching an intersection

Focus 12–15 seconds ahead as speed increases

Look only at the dashboard when speeding up

Focus only 2–3 seconds ahead regardless of speed

13 / 30

When approaching intersections or stopping in icy conditions (for buses without ABS), what braking technique is recommended?

Apply the brakes as hard as possible

Use only the parking brake

Shift into neutral and coast without braking

Pump the brakes once or twice to prevent wheels from locking up

14 / 30

What do lane stripes and reflector posts do for night driving?

Form a corridor of reflected light to help identify hazards as blank spots

Distract drivers from oncoming headlights

Replace the need for headlights on well-marked roads

Indicate areas where you can safely stop at night

15 / 30

On slippery roads, especially on bridges and overpasses, how should speed be adjusted?

Maintain speed but use the horn more frequently

Drive slower than the speed posted for dry road conditions

Drive faster to clear the hazardous area quickly

Drive at the posted speed limit regardless of conditions

16 / 30

When driving on wooden road surfaces, a driver should look for:

Only the color of the wood

Only the guardrails nearby

Holes, bumps, cracks, loose boards, and slippery areas

Only nails sticking out

17 / 30

At 80 KPH, about how far does it take to stop, depending on reaction time?

95 metres / 309 feet

150 metres / 492 feet

200 metres / 656 feet

50 metres / 164 feet

18 / 30

What is the recommendation regarding cruise control in adverse driving conditions?

Do not use cruise control

Use cruise control to maintain steady speed

Use cruise control only on straight, icy roads

Use cruise control at lower speeds

19 / 30

What should the driver do if the bus stops and the wheels are spinning on a slippery surface?

Ask students to get out and push

Keep spinning the wheels until the bus moves

Turn the wheels fully left or right and keep spinning

Stop spinning the wheels, as continuing will only dig in deeper

20 / 30

One of the three most common road surface hazards is:

Recently swept concrete

Freshly painted lane markings

Dry, clean asphalt

Rough surfaces such as cracks and potholes

21 / 30

Where should you focus your eyes when facing oncoming headlights at night?

Off into the distance beyond the lights

Directly at the oncoming headlights

On the right side edge of the road

At the center line of the road

22 / 30

How should a driver adjust following distance in adverse road conditions?

Increase following distance to allow for greater stopping distance

Decrease following distance to keep traffic moving

Keep the same following distance as in dry conditions

Follow closely to prevent other vehicles from cutting in

23 / 30

A slippery surface hazard may be caused by:

Dry leaves on a hot day

Fresh gravel being laid

Newly installed speed bumps

Oil- or grease-soaked areas of the roadway

24 / 30

When hills or curves limit your view of the road ahead, you should:

Maintain your speed and change lanes

Ignore the limitation and rely on other drivers

Slow down

Speed up to pass the limited view quickly

25 / 30

What should a driver do with the engine or exhaust brake (if equipped) on slippery road surfaces?

Use it more often

Use it only when turning

Switch it off

Alternate it on and off rapidly

26 / 30

Average headlights illuminate approximately how far ahead of the vehicle?

75 metres / 246 feet

50 metres / 164 feet

110 metres / 358 feet

200 metres / 656 feet

27 / 30

If you must stop the bus on the shoulder at night, which of the following is recommended?

Stop anywhere convenient and leave all lights off

Keep headlights on high beam and no other lights

Park facing oncoming traffic with only parking lights on

Choose a spot visible for at least 150 metres / 500 feet, turn off headlights, leave strobe and marker lamps on, and activate hazard warning lights

28 / 30

If an oncoming driver fails to dim their headlights, what should you do?

Do not switch on your high beams; keep your own lights from creating more hazard

Turn off your headlights completely

Flash your high beams repeatedly

Immediately turn on your high beams to “teach them a lesson”

29 / 30

What is a primary reason night driving is so dangerous?

Road surfaces are always more slippery at night

Better visibility causing overconfidence

Higher traffic volume than during the day

Reduced vision and the limits of artificial lighting

30 / 30

When following or overtaking another vehicle at night, when should you dim your headlights?

Only when you are directly beside the other vehicle

A minimum distance of 60 metres / 200 feet from the vehicle

There is no need to dim headlights

Only when the other driver flashes their lights

Your score is

This portion of the test evaluates a driver’s ability to anticipate and respond to potential hazards, maintain safe following distances, and make sound decisions under pressure. It emphasizes the importance of staying alert, obeying speed limits, and adjusting driving techniques for various weather and road conditions. Candidates are also assessed on their ability to avoid distractions and communicate effectively with other drivers. Mastering defensive driving is crucial for anyone seeking a school bus licence in Manitoba, as it helps prevent accidents and promotes safe transportation.