11 M.3 - School Bus Only

Student Lights {Front and Back)

Description:

Strobe light (if equipped), alternately flashing amber lights and alternately flashing red lights on school buses.

Why Inspect:

Student lights allow the driver of a school bus to communicate presence and intentions to stop and / or resume student loading and unloading with other traffic.

Inspection:

The following student lights must be inspected, and the operation demonstrated, on both the front and back of the vehicle.

  • Inspect that strobe light (if equipped) is operational and is not broken. Inspect that the strobe light indicator on the dash is operational.
  • Inspect that alternately flashing amber lights (if equipped), on both front and rear of vehicle, are operational and is not broken. Inspect that the flashing amber light indicator on the dash is operational.
  • Inspect that alternately flashing red lights, on both front and rear of vehicle, are operational and is not broken. Inspect that the flashing red light indicator on the dash is operational.

Stop Arm{s} and Safety Arm

Description:

The stop arm and safety arm on school buses that operate when student loading and unloading lights are activated.

Why Inspect:

Stop Arm - Warns other drivers a school bus is stopping or is stopped. Safety Arm - Forces school students to cross well (e.g., 10 feet) away from the front of the school bus in the drivers view.

Inspection:

The following school bus safety items must be inspected and the operation of, must be described and demonstrated.

  • Inspect the stop arm(s) - if equipped, are securely mounted to the vehicle frame and there are no loose, broken, or damaged parts. Inspect the stop arm extends fully when operated, stop arm lights are operational and that the stop arm indicator on the dash is operational.
  • Inspect that safety arm, if equipped, is securely mounted to the vehicle frame and there are no loose, broken, or damaged parts. Inspect that the safety arm functions properly in conjunction with the stop arm, it extends fully.

First Aid Emergency and Body Fluid Kits

Description:

Required emergency equipment (including emergency first aid kit and body fluid cleanup kit) for a school bus.

Why Inspect:

Emergency equipment must be available and in usable condition.

Inspection:
  • Inspect that emergency first aid kit is present and the seal has not been broken which may indicate missing items.
  • Inspect that body fluid cleanup kit is present and the seal has not been broken which may indicate missing items.

11M.4 Lights Operations Check (All Vehicles)

Lights Operations Check

Description:

Headlights, high-beam lights, turn signals, 4-way flashers, clearance lights, taillights, and brake lights on the front, sides and rear of a commercial motor vehicle and trailer (combination only).

Why Inspect:

Lights allow the driver of a commercial vehicle to see and be seen and to communicate with other traffic.

Inspection:

Inspect that all lights on the front, sides and rear of the vehicle operate and illuminate when corresponding lights are turned on, including the left and right turn signals, 4-way flashers, low beam headlights, high beam headlights, clearance or marker lights and / or clearance light and / or multi-function light, taillights and brake lights. Inspect that brake lights come "on" when brakes are applied and turn "off' when brakes are released.

Note: on a combination vehicle, you need only inspect the rear of the trailer.

Note: The operation of all external lights must be inspected from outside the vehicle. You may ask the examiner to assist you in inspecting the external operation of the lights. You will need to direct the examiner to the front, sides and rear of the vehicle or trailer (combination only), as you conduct the inspection. You are responsible for telling the examiner exactly which lights you would like them to inspect as you activate the lights from inside the vehicle. You will need to roll the window down and speak loud enough for the examiner to hear. If you forget or leave out a specific light, you will not get credit.