Unit E-2: Defensive Driving

The “Defensive Driving” section of the Manitoba School Bus Driver Test plays a vital role in promoting road safety.

Manitoba School Bus Test - Unit E-2: Defensive Driving

1 / 30

What is the recommended attitude for a defensive driver?

Let emotions guide your driving decisions

Focus mainly on arriving early

Ignore stress and drive aggressively

Think positively, stay under control, and keep your mind on the job

2 / 30

What kind of odours should a driver be alert to when using smell to detect problems?

Smoke, gasoline or diesel, oil, and burning rubber

Fresh air from open windows

Food odours from students’ lunches

Cleaning product smells in the bus

3 / 30

Why is it important to keep a contact list in the bus?

To hand out to students’ parents

To track students’ attendance

So the driver can quickly seek assistance when needed

For scheduling school events

4 / 30

If your speed is greatly reduced due to poor visibility, what should you do to help other drivers see you?

Turn off all lights to avoid glare

Drive on the shoulder without lights

Turn on the hazard warning lights

Use high beams only

5 / 30

How should a defensive driver monitor the mechanical operation of the bus while on the road using sight?

Constantly check gauges, watch for dash warning lights, and look for fire

Rely on students to point out problems

Only look at the road and mirrors

Only check gauges at the start and end of the trip

6 / 30

Bridges in colder temperatures require special caution because:

They prevent ice from forming

They are always rough, not slippery

They tend to freeze faster than the road surfaces

They are always dry

7 / 30

When driving in off-street areas (e.g., parking lots), the driver should:

Be alert to pedestrians entering or crossing from any direction

Drive quickly to clear the area

Ignore pedestrians unless they are in crosswalks

Focus only on marked lanes, not pedestrians

8 / 30

Regarding prescription and over-the-counter medication, a driver should:

Assume all medication is safe for driving

Ignore labels and rely on experience

Only read labels if feeling tired

Understand side effects and ask the doctor if they affect job safety

9 / 30

School bus stops should be approached:

While focusing only on traffic behind the bus

At normal speed without extra attention

Only using mirrors, not direct observation

With extreme caution

10 / 30

The early stage of rainfall is especially hazardous because:

Water mixes with oil, making the surface very slippery

Visibility is always perfect

Potholes disappear in light rain

The road surface immediately gains extra traction

11 / 30

Compared to daytime, how much more dangerous is night driving in terms of death rate per kilometre driven?

Half as great at night

Twice as great at night

Three times greater at night

About the same as daytime

12 / 30

What should you do if you have medical issues that may affect your driving?

Keep them secret

Inform your supervisor

Only tell passengers

Only tell other drivers

13 / 30

Near playgrounds, residential areas, and schools, a driver must be especially alert for:

Only other buses entering or leaving

Children running into the path of the bus from behind obstructions

Parked cars and not pedestrians

Only adult pedestrians using crosswalks

14 / 30

Why is it dangerous to look directly at the sun, bright reflections, or glare while driving?

It only causes discomfort and is otherwise harmless

It improves night vision but reduces daytime vision

It can affect your vision for several seconds

It will permanently damage your eyesight immediately

15 / 30

When making turns at intersections, especially right turns, the driver should:

Avoid using mirrors while turning

Rely on pedestrians to stop and wait

Focus only on oncoming vehicles

Check carefully for pedestrians crossing into the path of the bus

16 / 30

Which action may indicate a mechanical problem that the driver can detect by feel?

Stable handling on straight roads

Loss of power, steering, brakes, transmission failure, or a tire blowout

Smooth acceleration with normal response

A comfortable ride with no vibration

17 / 30

On snow- or ice-covered roads, you can help judge road friction by:

Speeding up to “test” the surface

Relying only on road signs for friction information

Ignoring other vehicles and assuming good traction

Noting whether other vehicles are skidding

18 / 30

When ice is melting on the roadway, the driver should:

Avoid scanning the road and focus only on speed

Only check the shoulders, not the main roadway

Watch for ice patches in shaded areas and changing conditions ahead

Assume all ice has melted and drive normally

19 / 30

When approaching areas where children or pedestrians may be present (such as school bus stops, playgrounds, or residential areas), what is the safest driving practice for a bus driver?

Rely on pedestrians to yield the right-of-way to the bus

Maintain normal speed unless pedestrians are already on the roadway

Approach with extreme caution, scan carefully for pedestrians from all directions, and be prepared to stop

Use the horn frequently so pedestrians know the bus is coming

20 / 30

A key question for driver condition is:

Are you mentally and physically ready to drive?

Is the bus the correct colour?

Are the passengers all on time?

Is the fuel tank exactly half full?

21 / 30

How can a hat help when driving in bright sunlight?

The peak helps protect your vision

It allows you to avoid using visors

It keeps the driver warm, improving alertness

It eliminates the need for sunglasses

22 / 30

Loose surface hazards that require slowing down include:

Guardrails, culverts, and signposts

Road markings and speed limit signs

Gravel, soft sand, soft shoulders, and wet leaves

Fresh asphalt, dry pavement, and painted lines

23 / 30

How can personal problems affect a school bus driver?

They can reduce concentration and ability to cope with passengers

They only affect driving at night

They always improve alertness

They have no impact on driving

24 / 30

Which of the following is recommended for driving in bright sunlight?

Carry sunglasses and use them when necessary

Rely only on the sun visor

Avoid using sunglasses so eyes stay adjusted

Look directly at the sun to judge its position

25 / 30

If you are under severe emotional pressure and cannot concentrate or control your temper, you should:

Not drive

Only drive on familiar roads

Drive faster to finish the route quickly

Ask students to help you focus

26 / 30

If you are unfamiliar with rules, regulations, or emergency procedures, you should:

Ask questions before it's too late

Wait and learn from mistakes

Rely only on passengers for help

Ignore them and focus on driving fast

27 / 30

Conditions alongside the road, such as shoulders and guardrails, should be:

Checked only at night

Ignored unless you have already left the roadway

Included in your scanning and evaluated as potential hazards

Considered harmless in all situations

28 / 30

If you need practice in manoeuvres or using safety equipment, you should:

Avoid practising and rely on instinct

Practise on busy roads with passengers aboard

Practice only when the bus is full

Ask your supervisor for help and practice on your own in an empty bus

29 / 30

What should a driver do if they are uncertain whether a mechanical problem is a safety hazard during a run?

Continue driving to the next scheduled stop

Stop the bus and seek assistance

Turn the radio up to ignore noises

Ask the students if they think it is serious

30 / 30

If you are experiencing fatigue, illness, or problems with eyesight or hearing, you should:

Only drive short distances

Drive anyway but more slowly

Avoid telling your supervisor

Consider not driving and seek medical advice if unsure

Your score is

This part of the test assesses a driver’s ability to recognize potential hazards, maintain safe distances, and make proactive driving decisions. It covers key practices such as staying vigilant, scanning for dangers, obeying traffic laws, and adjusting to changing weather or traffic conditions. Drivers are also tested on their ability to remain calm and avoid distractions. By emphasizing defensive driving, Manitoba ensures school bus drivers are prepared to protect their passengers and respond effectively to unexpected situations on the road.