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

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

It can affect your vision for several seconds

It will permanently damage your eyesight immediately

It only causes discomfort and is otherwise harmless

It improves night vision but reduces daytime vision

2 / 30

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

Turn the radio up to ignore noises

Ask the students if they think it is serious

Stop the bus and seek assistance

Continue driving to the next scheduled stop

3 / 30

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

Focus only on oncoming vehicles

Check carefully for pedestrians crossing into the path of the bus

Rely on pedestrians to stop and wait

Avoid using mirrors while turning

4 / 30

How can personal problems affect a school bus driver?

They only affect driving at night

They can reduce concentration and ability to cope with passengers

They always improve alertness

They have no impact on driving

5 / 30

What is the recommended attitude for a defensive driver?

Focus mainly on arriving early

Let emotions guide your driving decisions

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

Ignore stress and drive aggressively

6 / 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

Look directly at the sun to judge its position

Avoid using sunglasses so eyes stay adjusted

7 / 30

Loose surface hazards that require slowing down include:

Road markings and speed limit signs

Gravel, soft sand, soft shoulders, and wet leaves

Guardrails, culverts, and signposts

Fresh asphalt, dry pavement, and painted lines

8 / 30

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

So the driver can quickly seek assistance when needed

For scheduling school events

To track students’ attendance

To hand out to students’ parents

9 / 30

A key question for driver condition is:

Are you mentally and physically ready to drive?

Are the passengers all on time?

Is the bus the correct colour?

Is the fuel tank exactly half full?

10 / 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

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

Maintain normal speed unless pedestrians are already on the roadway

11 / 30

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

Drive on the shoulder without lights

Turn off all lights to avoid glare

Use high beams only

Turn on the hazard warning lights

12 / 30

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

Ignore pedestrians unless they are in crosswalks

Focus only on marked lanes, not pedestrians

Drive quickly to clear the area

Be alert to pedestrians entering or crossing from any direction

13 / 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

14 / 30

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

Drive faster to finish the route quickly

Ask students to help you focus

Not drive

Only drive on familiar roads

15 / 30

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

Avoid practising and rely on instinct

Practice only when the bus is full

Practise on busy roads with passengers aboard

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

16 / 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

Cleaning product smells in the bus

Food odours from students’ lunches

Fresh air from open windows

17 / 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

Only adult pedestrians using crosswalks

Parked cars and not pedestrians

18 / 30

How can a hat help when driving in bright sunlight?

It allows you to avoid using visors

It keeps the driver warm, improving alertness

The peak helps protect your vision

It eliminates the need for sunglasses

19 / 30

The early stage of rainfall is especially hazardous because:

The road surface immediately gains extra traction

Water mixes with oil, making the surface very slippery

Potholes disappear in light rain

Visibility is always perfect

20 / 30

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

Noting whether other vehicles are skidding

Relying only on road signs for friction information

Ignoring other vehicles and assuming good traction

Speeding up to “test” the surface

21 / 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

22 / 30

Bridges in colder temperatures require special caution because:

They are always dry

They are always rough, not slippery

They prevent ice from forming

They tend to freeze faster than the road surfaces

23 / 30

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

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

Only check gauges at the start and end of the trip

24 / 30

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

A comfortable ride with no vibration

Smooth acceleration with normal response

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

Stable handling on straight roads

25 / 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

26 / 30

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

Consider not driving and seek medical advice if unsure

Avoid telling your supervisor

Drive anyway but more slowly

Only drive short distances

27 / 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

28 / 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

29 / 30

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

Keep them secret

Inform your supervisor

Only tell other drivers

Only tell passengers

30 / 30

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

Considered harmless in all situations

Ignored unless you have already left the roadway

Checked only at night

Included in your scanning and evaluated as potential hazards

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.