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

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

Three times greater at night

About the same as daytime

Twice as great at night

Half as great at night

2 / 30

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

Checked only at night

Included in your scanning and evaluated as potential hazards

Ignored unless you have already left the roadway

Considered harmless in all situations

3 / 30

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

Rely only on passengers for help

Wait and learn from mistakes

Ignore them and focus on driving fast

Ask questions before it's too late

4 / 30

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

For scheduling school events

To track students’ attendance

To hand out to students’ parents

So the driver can quickly seek assistance when needed

5 / 30

What is the recommended attitude for a defensive driver?

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

Let emotions guide your driving decisions

Focus mainly on arriving early

Ignore stress and drive aggressively

6 / 30

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

Only check gauges at the start and end of the trip

Only look at the road and mirrors

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

Rely on students to point out problems

7 / 30

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

Relying only on road signs for friction information

Ignoring other vehicles and assuming good traction

Speeding up to “test” the surface

Noting whether other vehicles are skidding

8 / 30

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

Drive quickly to clear the area

Be alert to pedestrians entering or crossing from any direction

Focus only on marked lanes, not pedestrians

Ignore pedestrians unless they are in crosswalks

9 / 30

School bus stops should be approached:

With extreme caution

Only using mirrors, not direct observation

While focusing only on traffic behind the bus

At normal speed without extra attention

10 / 30

A key question for driver condition is:

Are the passengers all on time?

Are you mentally and physically ready to drive?

Is the fuel tank exactly half full?

Is the bus the correct colour?

11 / 30

Bridges in colder temperatures require special caution because:

They prevent ice from forming

They are always rough, not slippery

They are always dry

They tend to freeze faster than the road surfaces

12 / 30

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

Food odours from students’ lunches

Cleaning product smells in the bus

Smoke, gasoline or diesel, oil, and burning rubber

Fresh air from open windows

13 / 30

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

Not drive

Ask students to help you focus

Only drive on familiar roads

Drive faster to finish the route quickly

14 / 30

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

Only drive short distances

Drive anyway but more slowly

Consider not driving and seek medical advice if unsure

Avoid telling your supervisor

15 / 30

How can personal problems affect a school bus driver?

They can reduce concentration and ability to cope with passengers

They always improve alertness

They have no impact on driving

They only affect driving at night

16 / 30

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

Only tell passengers

Inform your supervisor

Only tell other drivers

Keep them secret

17 / 30

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

Only adult pedestrians using crosswalks

Parked cars and not pedestrians

Only other buses entering or leaving

Children running into the path of the bus from behind obstructions

18 / 30

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

Assume all ice has melted and drive normally

Only check the shoulders, not the main roadway

Watch for ice patches in shaded areas and changing conditions ahead

Avoid scanning the road and focus only on speed

19 / 30

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

Smooth acceleration with normal response

A comfortable ride with no vibration

Stable handling on straight roads

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

20 / 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

Use high beams only

Turn on the hazard warning lights

21 / 30

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

Avoid using sunglasses so eyes stay adjusted

Look directly at the sun to judge its position

Carry sunglasses and use them when necessary

Rely only on the sun visor

22 / 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

23 / 30

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

Ask the students if they think it is serious

Stop the bus and seek assistance

Continue driving to the next scheduled stop

Turn the radio up to ignore noises

24 / 30

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

Practise on busy roads with passengers aboard

Avoid practising and rely on instinct

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

Practice only when the bus is full

25 / 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 eliminates the need for sunglasses

It keeps the driver warm, improving alertness

26 / 30

Loose surface hazards that require slowing down include:

Road markings and speed limit signs

Gravel, soft sand, soft shoulders, and wet leaves

Fresh asphalt, dry pavement, and painted lines

Guardrails, culverts, and signposts

27 / 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?

Use the horn frequently so pedestrians know the bus is coming

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

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

28 / 30

The early stage of rainfall is especially hazardous because:

Visibility is always perfect

Water mixes with oil, making the surface very slippery

The road surface immediately gains extra traction

Potholes disappear in light rain

29 / 30

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

It will permanently damage your eyesight immediately

It can affect your vision for several seconds

It only causes discomfort and is otherwise harmless

It improves night vision but reduces daytime vision

30 / 30

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

Assume all medication is safe for driving

Only read labels if feeling tired

Ignore labels and rely on experience

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

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.