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

Slow or stop to see cross-traffic better

Honk the horn and continue without slowing

Proceed at your normal speed

Rely on other vehicles to warn you

2 / 30

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

Keep spinning the wheels until the bus moves

Ask students to get out and push

Turn the wheels fully left or right and keep spinning

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

3 / 30

What is a common cause of accidents in adverse weather?

The weather itself, which cannot be managed

Road maintenance crews working too slowly

Students distracting the driver

Drivers who do not adjust their driving to meet conditions

4 / 30

Average headlights illuminate approximately how far ahead of the vehicle?

200 metres / 656 feet

110 metres / 358 feet

50 metres / 164 feet

75 metres / 246 feet

5 / 30

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

Speed up only in clear stretches

Maintain schedule at all costs

Always choose to adjust speed and schedule, even if late

Skip some stops to stay on time

6 / 30

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

Alternate it on and off rapidly

Use it only when turning

Use it more often

Switch it off

7 / 30

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

The side of the bus acts like a sail in crosswinds

The bus engine loses power in wind

The tires automatically lose air pressure

The brakes stop working in high wind

8 / 30

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

Speed up to pass the limited view quickly

Ignore the limitation and rely on other drivers

Slow down

Maintain your speed and change lanes

9 / 30

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

Indicate areas where you can safely stop at night

Replace the need for headlights on well-marked roads

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

Distract drivers from oncoming headlights

10 / 30

What is a primary reason night driving is so dangerous?

Reduced vision and the limits of artificial lighting

Higher traffic volume than during the day

Better visibility causing overconfidence

Road surfaces are always more slippery at night

11 / 30

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

Shift into neutral and coast without braking

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

Apply the brakes as hard as possible

Use only the parking brake

12 / 30

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

It has no effect on night driving ability

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

13 / 30

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

Drive faster to clear the hazardous area quickly

Drive slower than the speed posted for dry road conditions

Drive at the posted speed limit regardless of conditions

Maintain speed but use the horn more frequently

14 / 30

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

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

Your headlights automatically dim at this speed

Your stopping distance is shorter than your headlight range

You will always have enough distance to stop safely

15 / 30

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

150 metres / 492 feet

50 metres / 164 feet

95 metres / 309 feet

200 metres / 656 feet

16 / 30

To maintain proper visual surveillance, a driver should:

Focus only on the road directly in front of the bus

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

Look only in the mirrors, not through the windshield

Stare at one object for as long as possible

17 / 30

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

Avoid using them until the next stop

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

Assume they will work normally without checking

Apply them hard several times while stopped

18 / 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

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

Park facing oncoming traffic with only parking lights on

19 / 30

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

Drive in the center of the road at all times

Focus only on the vehicle behind them

Ignore the terrain and maintain constant speed

Scan ahead, watch road signs, and adjust speed

20 / 30

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

Use cruise control at lower speeds

Use cruise control only on straight, icy roads

Use cruise control to maintain steady speed

Do not use cruise control

21 / 30

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

Only nails sticking out

Only the guardrails nearby

Only the color of the wood

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

22 / 30

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

At the center line of the road

Directly at the oncoming headlights

On the right side edge of the road

Off into the distance beyond the lights

23 / 30

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

Apply the parking brake briefly

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

Press the accelerator harder to power through

Turn the steering wheel sharply

24 / 30

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

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

Turn off your headlights completely

Flash your high beams repeatedly

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

25 / 30

A slippery surface hazard may be caused by:

Dry leaves on a hot day

Oil- or grease-soaked areas of the roadway

Fresh gravel being laid

Newly installed speed bumps

26 / 30

One of the three most common road surface hazards is:

Dry, clean asphalt

Freshly painted lane markings

Rough surfaces such as cracks and potholes

Recently swept concrete

27 / 30

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

Decrease following distance to keep traffic moving

Increase following distance to allow for greater stopping distance

Follow closely to prevent other vehicles from cutting in

Keep the same following distance as in dry conditions

28 / 30

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

Only when you are directly beside the other vehicle

There is no need to dim headlights

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

Only when the other driver flashes their lights

29 / 30

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

Move toward the center line

Turn on high beams regardless of conditions

Keep to the right

Increase speed to clear the hill faster

30 / 30

A key recommendation for visual scanning is to:

Shift focus only when approaching an intersection

Look only at the dashboard when speeding up

Focus 12–15 seconds ahead as speed increases

Focus only 2–3 seconds ahead regardless of speed

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.