Class B or Class C - Checklist Passenger or School Bus

In-Vehicle and / or Engine Start

  • air or hydraulic brake check (automatic failure if not performed correctly)
  • parking & trailer brake check
  • service brake check
  • lighting indicators
  • emergency equipment
  • windshield & traffic monitoring devices
  • wipers & washers
  • heater & defroster
  • horn(s)

Passenger and School Bus Only

  • passenger entry & lift
  • emergency exits
  • passenger seating
  • passenger monitoring devices

School Bus Only

  • student lights (front & back)
  • D stop arm(s) & safety arm
  • first aid & body fluid kits

Lights Operations Check

  • all external lights

Front of Vehicle and / or Engine Area

  • lenses
  • fluid levels
  • fluid & air leaks
  • steering systems

Steering Axle

  • tires
  • rims
  • lug nuts
  • springs and / or mounts & air bags & shocks
  • brake lines or hoses & leaks
  • brake contaminates

Side of Vehicle

  • lenses & reflectors
  • traffic monitoring devices
  • battery
  • fuel tank(s) and / or DEF tank
  • frame(s)

Rear of Vehicle

  • lenses & reflectors

You are only required to inspect the items on the CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You may use this checklist for your test and check off items as you have completed them, no additional markings or writing may be placed on this list. You must name, point to and / or touch and fully explain what you are inspecting each safety critical item for. If you do not do so, you will not get credit for the item(s).

Truck with no cab or school bus

Section 12M Basic Control Skills Test

For the Basic Control Skills test, you will demonstrate basic skills in controlling a commercial vehicle and judging its position in relation to other objects.

It tests for the basic skills needed for safe control and operation of the vehicle. The types of judgment and skills required for these basic control skills are also required in many different driving situations.

You will receive points for changing direction to gain a better position, crossing over or touching boundary lines or cones and for your final position.

You may be permitted to exit the vehicle to check around the vehicle during backing exercises. When entering and / or exiting the vehicle, you must set your parking brake, place the vehicle in neutral, and safely exit or enter by facing the vehicle and maintaining three (3) points of contact at all times (when entering and / or exiting a bus, face forward and maintain a firm grasp on the handrail).

If at any time you open the door, move from a seated position when in physical control of the vehicle, (or on a bus, walk to the back to get a better view), you will be scored for a look.

You will receive specific instructions for each exercise prior to performing them. You will have an opportunity to ask questions. You must complete the exercise as directed. If you see the examiner raise their hand, stop and return your vehicle within the exercise boundary lines.

Your Basic Control Skills test will include the following exercises, either off-road or somewhere on the street during the Road Test:

  • Step 1 - Forward Stop,
  • Step 2 - Straight-Line Backing,
  • Step 3 - Forward Offset Tracking, and
  • Step 4 - Reverse Offset Backing.

These exercises are shown in Figures 12M.1 through 12M.4 in the section 12M-4.