Series 1-6: On the Road Checking Procedures

The “On the Road Checking Procedures” chapter of the Alberta school bus practice test covers essential safety checks drivers must perform when operating the bus.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 1-6: On the Road Checking Procedures

1 / 20

What is a key behaviour of a professional school bus operator regarding vehicle condition?

Always stays alert for unusual noises or abnormal handling and reports them

Only checks the bus at the start of the year

Waits for scheduled maintenance to find problems

Ignores minor changes in vehicle performance

2 / 20

What might cause the bus to weave or sway excessively on curves?

Broken springs or faulty shock absorbers

Properly inflated tires

Correctly adjusted mirrors

Clean brake linings

3 / 20

Which is a possible sign of suspension problems when turning corners?

Excessive weaving or swaying

Slight, normal body roll

Smooth, level cornering

Slight steering wheel vibration only

4 / 20

What should you do if you notice unusual or substandard steering conditions?

Report them immediately to the appropriate supervisor

Ignore them if the bus still moves

Only report them at the end of the shift

Ask another driver instead of reporting

5 / 20

Which of the following is a sign of proper steering?

The bus goes precisely where you steer it

The steering wheel has excessive play

The steering jerks over bumps

The power steering is loud and rough

6 / 20

In colder weather, how long should the bus idle before starting the route?

About 10 minutes

About 2 minutes

About 30 minutes

No idling is needed

7 / 20

How should you treat a cold engine when starting out?

Never race it; increase speed slowly

Rev it high to warm it quickly

Turn it off and restart repeatedly

Hold it at maximum RPM for 30 seconds

8 / 20

What should you do if you notice unusual engine noise, vibration, or lack of response?

Report any concerns to the appropriate supervisor

Continue driving and check it tomorrow

Turn the radio up to ignore the noise

Only report it if a warning light appears

9 / 20

How can erratic or careless shifting affect the clutch?

It wears out the clutch and reduces its service life

It improves clutch response time

It reduces brake wear

It has no real effect on the clutch

10 / 20

What is the correct foot position after completing a gear shift?

Remove your foot from the clutch pedal and place it flat on the floor

Rest your foot lightly on the clutch pedal

Keep your foot hovering above the clutch

Hold the clutch halfway down

11 / 20

What is an important characteristic of a properly adjusted clutch?

It has some free play when the pedal is fully released

It has no free play at all

It engages only at the very top of the pedal travel

It engages only at the very bottom of the pedal travel

12 / 20

How should the clutch engage under normal conditions?

Easily and smoothly without jerking or excessive slipping

With a strong jerk to confirm engagement

Only when the pedal is pumped repeatedly

With loud grinding noises

13 / 20

Why should you not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended road speed for each gear?

It could damage the transmission or reduce its service life

It will increase fuel economy

It makes the bus easier to steer

It improves brake performance

14 / 20

What should you do if you have difficulty shifting gears in a manual transmission?

Report it to the appropriate supervisor

Force the gear into place

Ignore it if the bus still moves

Only use one gear for the trip

15 / 20

What should happen when the transmission is engaged and the accelerator is depressed?

The bus should start out smoothly

The bus should hesitate, then lurch

The bus should roll backward

The bus should vibrate heavily

16 / 20

What is a sign of proper automatic transmission operation?

It should not “slip”

It should make metallic noises

It should jerk when starting

It should require pumping the accelerator

17 / 20

Which of the following brake conditions must be reported immediately?

Excessive pedal pressure or unusual braking behaviour

Smooth, quiet braking

Slight brake dust on wheels

Normal pedal movement

18 / 20

What should you do if safe braking is not possible?

Do not operate the bus

Drive only at very low speeds

Avoid using the brakes

Continue driving and report at the end of the day

19 / 20

How should the bus stop when the brakes are working properly?

In a straight line without pulling right or left

Pulling slightly to the right

Slightly skidding to a stop

Gradually drifting to the left

20 / 20

When should you first test the brakes before going on the road?

At low speeds before leaving the yard

At highway speed on-ramp

Only after the first stop sign

Only if the warning light comes on

Your score is

This section teaches drivers to remain alert to changes in vehicle performance, regularly monitor mirrors, and observe gauges for warning signs. Drivers are also instructed to listen for unusual noises and watch for leaks or smoke. These on-the-go checks help identify potential problems early, ensuring the safety of students and other road users. By mastering these procedures, drivers demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to maintaining high safety standards throughout each journey.