wisconsin school bus pre trip inspection checklist

CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist

Studying this Class-A CDL pre-trip inspection checklist is an important part of truck driver training. Before getting your Class-A CDL and finding an entry level truck driving job , most states will require students to pass a DOT (department of transportation) pre-trip inspection test and a general knowledge test .

Each company’s pre-trip inspection varies slightly. Most likely you will have to do the coupling system, light check and in-cab inspections plus one of the remaining three sections.

Pre Trip Inspection Checklist

Download free and print it! Printable Pre Trip Inspection Checklist (PDF)

There are many sections to learn but the test is not as difficult as it may seem. Studying our simplified Class-A pre-trip inspection checklist and taking classes at your local CDL training school will get you prepared.

Engine Compartment

Driver door fuel area, coupling area, light check, in-cab inspection and brake tests, belt driven alternator, belt driven water pump, brake chamber, brake lining, caste nuts and cotter pins, coolant reservoir, gear box and hoses, gear driven air compressor, gear driven power steering pump.

• General Hoses

Leaf Springs

Power steering fluid reservoir, shock absorber, slack adjuster and push rod, spring hanger, steering column, what to check for:.

When checking the engine compartment, you will always want to make sure the following components are properly mounted and secured. You should also make sure they are not cracked, bent or broken. The items you will need to check for include:

• Make sure all of the wires are connected. The belt should not be cracked or frayed and the free play on the belt should be between ½ to ¾ of an inch.
• The free play on the belt should be between ½ to ¾ of an inch. Also check all the hoses running to and from the water pump to make sure nothing is leaking.
• The brake chamber should not be leaking air.
• The brake drum should be properly mounted and secure.
• The brake hose is rubber, so it is important to make sure it is not leaking air.
• Check for oil or debris on the lining. There should be at least ¼ of an inch of friction material.
• Make sure all three caste nuts and cotter pins are present.
• The reservoir should not leaking and must be filled to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Make sure the drag link is properly mounted and secure, and not cracked, bent or broken.
• The gear box and hoses should have no abrasions, bulges or cuts, and should not be leaking.
• Although the air compressor is hard to see, you must make sure it is properly mounted and does not leak.
• The steering pump is located in the same place as the air compressor and is also gear driven. Ensure the steering pump is not leaking.

General Hoses (Passenger and Driver’s Side)

• The hoses should be secure at both ends. There should be no abrasions, bulges or cuts. Fluids run through these hoses, so it is important to make sure they are not leaking.
• The hub seal (or axle seal) should not be leaking and should be filled to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Make sure none of the leaf springs have shifted.
• Check for leaks under the truck.
• There should be no lug nuts missing. Look for rust trails, powder residue and cracks around the bolt holes.
• The oil level should be filled to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Make sure the pitman arm is properly mounted and secure. It should be not cracked, bent or broken.
• Make sure this reservoir is not leaking and filled to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• The rim cannot have any unauthorized welds.
• Make sure the shock absorber is not leaking. If it is leaking, the leak will be at the point where the top and bottom portion of the shock meet.
• With the brakes released and pulled by hand, the push rod should never move more than one inch.
• The spring hanger should be properly mounted and secure.
• Make sure the steering column is properly mounted and secure. It should not be cracked, bent or broken.
• Look for abrasions, bulges or cuts on the tread or sidewalls. Tread depth should have a depth no less than 4/32 of an inch. Tires must be properly filled to the manufacturer’s specifications. This can be checked with an air gauge.
• Make sure the tie rod is properly mounted and secure, not cracked, bent or broken.
• Make sure all are accounted for.

Back to top of Engine Compartment

Catwalk and Steps

Door and hinges, drive shaft, exhaust system, frame and cross members, spring mount.

Again it is important to make sure these items are properly mounted and secure. Look for cracks, bends, and breaks.

• The actual airbag is rubber, so it is important to check for abrasions, bulges, cuts and leaks, in addition to any missing mounting bolts.
• The axle seal should not be leaking and should be filled to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Make sure to mention the brake chamber is not leaking air.
• Make sure the brake drum is secured properly. Also look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• Check the brake hose at both ends to make sure it is not leaking air.
• There should be no oil or debris on the brake lining. There should be at least ¼ of an inch of friction material.
• The cat walk and steps should be clear of any loose objects.
• Physically demonstrate that the doors open, close and latch properly. Door seals should not be worn, torn or rotten.
• The drive shaft should not be twisted and the u-joints should be free of any debris.
• The tread and sidewalls should have no abrasions, bulges or cuts. The tread depth should be no less than 2/32 of an inch. Tires should be properly filled to the manufacturer’s specifications. This can be checked with an air gauge.
• The exhaust system should show no signs of leaks.
• There should be no unauthorized holes or welds. Bundle up the cross members to ensure none are missing.
• Fuel should not be leaking from the tank and the cap should always be on tight.
• Rust trails could indicate loose bolts, while powder residue and racks around the bolts could mean the bolts have been over-tightened.
• Mirrors should be clean for best visibility.
• Make sure the mud flap is secured properly. Also look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• Make sure to mention there should be never be any unauthorized welds.
• The shock absorber should be secure at both ends and not leaking. If it does leak, it will leak in the middle.
• With the brakes released and pulled by hand, the push rod should not move more than one inch.
• If you are equipped with duals, check to see there is proper spacing between the tires and there is nothing stuck.
• The spring arm should be secure at both ends.
• The spring mount should be secure at both ends.
• Make sure the torque arm is secured properly. Also look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• Make sure to check and mention that no U-bolts are missing.

Back to  top of Driver Door Fuel Area

Electric Line

Locking jaws, mounting bolts, release arm, sliding fifth wheel locking pin.

• Air lines should be secure at both ends with no abrasions, bulges or cuts. They should not be leaking, dragging or tangled.
• Make sure the apron is properly mounted and secure. Look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• Make sure there is enough space between the tractor mudflap and the trailer landing gear so that they don’t hit each other when making a turn.
• The electric line should be secure at both ends. There should be no abrasions, bulges, cuts or exposed wires.
• The gap is not an actual item, however there should be no space between the apron and the skid plate.
• The seals should be in good condition with no cracks, signs of rotting, or leaking air.
• Make sure the king pin is properly mounted and secure. Look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• You must physically check that the locking jaws is fully locked around the king pin.
• No mounting bolts should be missing.
• Make sure the platform is properly mounted and secure. Look for cracks, bends and breaks.
• The release arm should be in the fully locked position.
• The skid plate needs to be properly lubed.
• The pin must be in the fully locked position.

Back to top of Coupling Area

Header Board

Landing gear, rear door and hinges.

• Shock Absorbers

Tandem Frame and Release

Trailer tire.

• Again make sure the airbag has no abrasions, bulges, cuts or leakings. The airbag should not be missing any mounting bolts.
• The brake chamber should be properly mounted so that is does not leak air.
• The brake hose should be secure at both ends with no abrasions, bulges, cuts or leaks.
• Check for oil or debris on the brake lining. There should be at least ¼ of an inch of friction material.
• There cannot be any missing cross members.
• The header board cannot have any holes or missing rivets.
• The landing gear must be fully raised and the cradle handle secure.
• Rust trails indicate loose bolts. Powder residue and cracks around the bolt holes could be an indication of over-tightened bolts.
• The rims cannot have any unauthorized welds.
• The rear door should open, close and latch properly. Door seals should not be worn, torn or dry rotten.
• The shock absorber should be checked at both ends for leaks.
• When the brakes are released and pulled by hand, the push rod should not move more than one inch.
• Release handle and locking pins should be in the fully locked position.

There should be no abrasions, bulges or cuts to the tread or sidewalls. Tread depth should be no less than 2/32 of an inch. The tire should be properly filled to manufacturer’s specifications and checked with an air gauge.

• Front of the truck
• Both sides of the truck
• Rear of the truck
• Both sides of the trailer
• Rear of the trailer

Back to top of Trailer

The five functions are:

• Left turn signal
• Right turn signal
• Four way flashers
• High/low beams
• Brake lights

Back to top of Light Check

• Airbrake Test

Air Pressure Gauges

Emergency equipment, heater and defroster, lighting indicators, oil pressure gauge, parking brake, service brake check, water temperature gauge, windshield and mirrors, windshield wipers and washers.

The last section is In-Cab Inspection and Brake Tests. For the In-Cab Inspection you will once again want to make sure all of the following components are properly mounted and secure. As well as the following:

Air Brake Test

There are three stages to an air brake test:

• Applied Pressure Test – When doing the Applied Pressure Test, you will want to build the air pressure to governor cut out. Put the truck in the lowest gear, turn the engine off and immediately turn it back on. Push in the tractor and trailer valves which will then release the parking brakes. Push and hold the brake pedal, allowing the gauges to stabilize. When the gauges have stabilized, announce the Primary and Secondary PSI. Listen for air leaks while doing this.
• Warning Light and Buzzer – Pump down on the brake pedal until the warning light and buzzer comes on. This is typically at or before 60 PSI.
• Tractor/Trailer Protection Valve Pop Out – Pump down on the brake pedal until the tractor and trailer protection valves pop out, this will be between 20 and 40 PSI.
• The air pressure gauges should build to governor cut out.
• Your truck should have a fire extinguisher, three red reflective triangles and spare electrical fuses.
• Demonstrate both the heater and defroster are working properly.

Horns (Air Horn and City Horn)

• Blow both horns to make sure they are working.
• Check the left turn, right turn, four way flashers and high beams; also point these out on the dashboard.
• Make sure transmission is in neutral and then fully depress the clutch. Turn the key on, check the ABS light, announce when it comes on and off, and start the engine.
• The seat belt should not be ripped or frayed and should adjust and latch properly.
• The engine oil pressure gauge should rise to normal operating range.
• Trailer Parking Brakes – Set the trailer brake, release the tractor brake, then tug lightly on the trailer.
• Tractor Parking Brakes – Set the tractor brake, release the trailer brake and tug lightly on the trailer.
• Release both the tractor and trailer brakes. Drive at idle speed. Apply the service brake to make sure you come to a complete stop and that it doesn’t pull to the left or right when applying the brakes.
• The voltmeter should be charging between 13 and 14 volts.
• The water temperature gauge should also rise to normal operating range.
• The windshield and mirrors must be clean, with no obstructions and in proper adjustment.
• Demonstrate the wipers and washers are working properly by spraying the windshield.

Back to top of In-Cab Inspection and Brake Tests

During a CDL pre-trip inspection, truckers inspect many aspects of their commercial vehicle, including the overall safety of the vehicle; major hoses, fluid levels, and vehicle belts; the clutch or gear shift; and emergency equipment. The driver demonstrates their knowledge by walking around the vehicle, checking various safety components and explaining why each part should be checked for safety.

Reference and practice tests:

• Printable Pre Trip Inspection Checklist (PDF)
• CDL General Knowledge Practice Test
• Pre Trip Inspection Practice Test
• CDL HAZMAT Endorsement Practice Test

Edited for 2024 on  12/5/23

FREE Wisconsin CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2024 | WI

Preparing to take your CDL skills test and need help with the pre-trip inspection section? Start preparing now with our free Wisconsin CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test. With 30 questions covering the inspection of both the inside and outside of your rig, our practice test delivers an accurate preview of the content and the format of the real test. We believe there really is no better way to get prepared for the pre-trip inspection endorsement test.

Passing your pre-trip inspection will help ensure that you have the knowledge to help keep the roadways safe for both yourself and other drivers. It will demonstrate a level of safety knowledge that could improve your standing in employers’ eyes. This practice test includes questions just like these: For manual slack adjusters, the brake pushrod should not move more than how much? What releases the fifth wheel locking jaw so the trailer can be uncoupled?

Answering 80% or more of the questions correctly will earn you a passing score on this test. You can take this practice test as many times as necessary to achieve that passing score. We recommend that you read each answer explanation as you progress through the test. When you retake the test the questions will be reordered. Thanks to this practice test it is now easy to experience the pre-trip inspection test before you visit the DMV and pay a fee to take it. Our practice test is similar in both content and format to the real test and passing this practice test means you are taking a big step forward in your quest to pass the real state pre-trip inspection endorsement exam. Begin practicing now with our test.

Wisconsin CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Overview:

Get the latest (2024) official WI CDL Manual.

Select Another WI CDL Practice Test

• General Knowledge Test 1
• General Knowledge Test 2
• General Knowledge Test 3
• WI CDL Air Brakes Test 1
• WI Combination Vehicles Test 1
• WI CDL HazMat Test 1
• WI CDL Tanker Vehicles Test 1
• WI Double/Triple Trailers Test 1
• WI Passenger Vehicles Test 1
• WI CDL School Bus Test 1
• WI CDL Pre Trip Inspection Test 1 (you are here)
• General Knowledge Test Simulator

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• School Bus Driver’s Daily Pre-Trip Inspection Form

The School Bus Driver’s Daily Pre-Trip Inspection Form is a document to be filled in by the bus driver, providing information about the safety of the vehicle. Use the form to ensure that your school’s buses are safe to drive — and to comply with regulations! Just complete the form and give it to the bus driver to sign when they check the bus over before each school day. If they find any issues, they can fill it out to report issues. You can customize the form according to your needs and put your school logo for a more professional look.

With Jotform's drag-and-drop Form Builder, it's no more complicated to customize your forms. Just drag the form field you need to add and drop it on your form page. No coding at all! You can share your forms by embedding them to your website, with just a link, emailing them or just printing out. Jotform is also compatible with any mobile device and brings you 100+ free app integrations like Google Sheets, Google Drive or Dropbox if you prefer them as your third party storage apps. Just sign up for an account and starting getting submissions!

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Passenger Bus CDL Class B Pre-Trip Inspection

Pre-trip inspection passenger bus class b.

The commercial driver’s license (CDL) pre-trip inspection for a passenger bus includes 71 items to be checked.

You must name and point to or touch each item, and fully explain what you are inspecting (you must ensure the tester knows what you are referring to). You are getting graded that you know what to check each part for, not that you know the names of the parts. You will have to check each axle as outlined. There is no order or sequence to the test. If you miss a part, you can go back and identify it.

At the end of this checklist (scroll to the bottom of this page), you will find procedural videos to assist you in understanding the requirements for successfully completing the Class B (Passenger bus) Pre-Trip Inspection.

Engine Compartment

This order starts in the engine compartment and inspects only the axles on the driver’s side of the bus. The test requires you to only inspect the driver side unless the item is only on the passenger side (parts in engine compartment, exhaust).

• make sure level is between add and full
• level is sufficient for operation, between hot and cold mark
• level is between add and full
• must say that it is gear powered, working properly
• not leaking, securely mounted
• securely mounted, bolts tight, not leaking
• belt, not cracked or frayed, tension is between ½” and ¾”
• securely mounted, bolts tight
• wire secure into back of alternator
• secure to engine, bolts tight, hoses secure, not leaking
• must say that it is belt driven
• works properly
• check under vehicle for oil puddles
• check bottom of motor for leaks
• check hoses for splits, cuts
• make sure all clamps are tight
• check all hoses for leaks
• make sure to check both sides of engine for leaks/hoses

Front Truck Axle

• secure, bolts tight
• not leaking
• not cut, pinched or leaking
• fittings are secure not cracked or broken
• not bent, bolts tight, no cracks, cotter pins in place
• sockets are not worn or loose
• must check from steering box to wheel
• none broken
• all in alignment
• not shifted
• not broke or rusted
• check front and rear mount for cracks, rust
• check for tight or missing bolts
• make sure bushings are not torn or missing
• bolts tight
• not kinked, cut, swollen or leaking
• fittings secure
• not bent, broke or leaking
• not cracked dented, rusted or leaking
• clamp is secure, tight and in place
• pins in place holding slack adjuster to push rod
• straight, not broken
• no more than 1”adjustment (movement) on the push rod
• no holes, cracks or dents
• smooth surface
• no signs of grease or oil
• shoes are sufficient, more than ¼” pad
• no cracks, no chipped pads
• no fluid, grease or oil
• 4/32” tread depth
• no cuts or bubbles on side walls
• check top of tire for even wear and flat spots
• check pressure with gauge
• check valve stem is not cracked, broke, leaking or twisted and secured with cap
• none missing
• no signs of rust trails
• no cracks or distortion from lug bolt holes
• no loose or missing bolts
• proper fluid level (if sight glass)

Side of Cab

• door hinges are secure, bolts tight
• handle works, no damage to side
• seal is in tack and not torn
• opens and closes properly
• securely mounded, brackets not damages, bolts in place
• mirror is not broke and clean
• straps are secure
• cap is on tight
• must check tank & cap for leaking

Under Vehicle

• no signs of soot (leaking)
• securely mounded
• all clamps are tight
• must check hole exhaust system from turbo to top of stack
• bolts are all tight
• must also check cross members for same
• straight, no cracks, bolts are tight
• must check u-joint bolts and u-joint is free of foreign objects
• no holes, cracks, chipped and flat

Rear Truck Axle

• check front and rear mount for cracks
• fitting is secure
• not cracked or rusted or leaking
• no more than 1” adjustment (movement) on the push rod with brakes released (double chamber)
• no holes, cracks, or dents
• no cracked or chipped pads
• 2/32” tread depth
• check pressure with a gauge
• check valve stem is not cracked, secure, leaking or twisted and cap is in place
• no cracks, no rust or welded
• none missing, not loose, no signs of rust trails
• must check there is no debris between tires
• tires are evenly spaced
• rims flush (butted) together

Rear of Vehicle

• opens and closes
• no damage, holes, broken glass
• hinges are secure, no missing bolts
• seal is not missing or torn

Cab Compartment/Engine Start (need to demonstrate all mechanisms)

• push in clutch & make sure shifter is in neutral before starting engine
• if automatic transmission make sure vehicle is in neutral
• check temperature gauge for operation and in safe range
• check voltmeter for operation and in safe range
• needle indication charging
• check oil pressure gauge for operation and in safe range
• working properly, pressure builds to 120 psi or governor cut out or purge
• check steering play for no more than 10 degrees or 2”
• check parking brake by applying and putting truck in low gear and try to move (lug engine)
• must check both tractor and trailer parking brake individually
• pull forward at 5 mph and stop with foot brake, check for no pull left or right
• must be clean
• no cracks, chips or stickers
• seal is secure with no leaks
• no stickers
• mirrors are adjusted
• operate properly (must turn on)
• rubber blades are not cracked with good contact to windshield
• medal arms are secure, no damage
• washer fluid operates (squirts)
• on dash, check left & right turn arrow
• 4 way flashers
• high/low beam indicator
• blow air and electric horn
• must turn to hot and feel for air from vents
• turn on defroster to make sure they work properly
• feel for air to blow from vent at windshield
• spare fuses or breakers (which ever truck is equipped with)
• not cut, frayed or torn
• securely mounded at seat, shoulder and floor ( all points )
• build air pressure to 120, governor cut out or purge
• turn off engine then turn key to on position
• release parking brake, push in
• apply foot brake & keep pressure and listen , applied for 1 minute-cannot lose more than 3 pounds in 1 minute (must hold for full, timed minute)
• after leak test, say that low air buzzer will come on at 60 PSI, pump foot brake (fan) so buzzer will sound
• after checking the low air warning device, say that parking brake will pop out at approximately 30 PSI, pump foot brake (fan) so buttons pop

Passenger Items

• securely mounted
• walk through bus and check
• buzzer sounds when open (key on)

Lights—Amber on Front, Red on Rear (all lights, must say color and describe light condition)

• Lights (front of vehicle AMBER )-head lights (high & low beam), right/left turn signal, 4 way flashers, clearance, must turn on, clean, not broken, operating properly
• Lights (front side of vehicle AMBER )-right/left turn signal, put on emergency, flashers, make sure working, amber lenses, not broken, clean
• Lights (rear of vehicle RED )-right/left turn signal, put on 4 way flashers, clearance and brake lights, red lenses, not broken, clean

CDL Class B Passenger Bus Pre-Trip Inspection Video

A procedural training video demonstrating the requirements and best practices to help prepare you for successfully completing the Pre-Trip Inspection portion of the CDL Class B (Passenger Bus).

Site Navigation

• SMG of Crystal River
• CDL Testing

CDL Testing and Prep

• Steps to Getting Your CDL
• Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection w/Air
• Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection w/o Air
• Dump Truck CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Class B
• Passenger Bus CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Class B
• Driver's On-road Practical Test
• Commercial Driving Behavior
• CDL Driver Control Skills Test
• Instructional Videos

All CDL Testing & Training

All SMG CDL testing and training is initiated and completed at Interstate Commercial Driving School (ICDS) located at:

SMG Contact Information:

Tel: (352)795-7170

Fax: (352)795-8723

© SMG, Inc . All Rights Reserved.

1 st Reporting

School Bus Inspection Checklist (Free And Easy-To-Use)

School buses are the life-blood of the education system. So, ensuring that you have an effective School Bus Inspection Checklist for your pre-trip inspection is vital to the safe transport of children to their learning destination and back home again.

Bus drivers use a pre-trip School Bus Inspection Checklist to complete daily vehicle safety inspections. These inspections are vital to adhere to the utmost safety standards for our children’s trips to and from school.

We’ve put together an immersive, efficient, and comprehensive pre-trip school bus inspection checklist for you to use with your fleet. We’ll look at the basics of the template, how to use it, and offer some great tips to help you manage your bus fleet and inspections. So, stick with us, let’s get the wheels on this bus rolling, shall we?

Table of Contents

Included In The School Bus Inspection Checklist for Pre-Trip Inspections

Like many inspection templates you will find in our free-to-download template library , the School Bus Inspection Checklist comprises various segments for ease of inspection reporting.

Here is the breakdown of the template sections:

Administrative Information

Exterior walk-around inspection, under hood inspection.

• Bus Interior Inspection 

Interior Operation (With Vehicle Running)

• Exterior Signalling (With Vehicle Running)

Vehicle Operation Test Review

Want a little more information about each section? We thought so. Following, you will find a brief breakdown of each segment.

Any inspection report needs to have information about who performs the inspection and the subject of the assessment. Therefore, you’ll find a place where the driver can record the date, time, name, bus information, and even route and district identifiers.

Most vehicle walk-around inspections should begin with an exterior walk-around. It’s the sensible place to begin. We’ve started at the ground with the tires and work our way up from there. The usual suspects for the exterior inspection are all present, so your drivers won’t miss a beat.

While already inspecting outside the vehicle, it makes sense to continue to the front of the bus and pop up the engine cover to reveal the heart of the bus’s locomotion center. The engine compartment inspection includes things like checking the battery terminals and connections. It also includes visually inspecting belts, wiring, and hoses and topping up common fluids like oil and windshield washer fluid.

Bus Interior Inspection

With the exterior inspection completed while the vehicle is not yet running, it’s time the driver turns to the interior for review.

Again, we find the usual bus interior inspection items, including emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits. Similarly, the interior inspection also includes the entrance steps and handrails, emergency exits, seats, and seatbelts, to name a few.

Completing the interior inspection, the driver must next turn to check vehicle operation. The vehicle operation check starts with checking the dash lights, warning signals, and further instrumentation. All items mentioned on the School Bus Inspection Checklist maintain a place to note a pass or failing grade and make notes on observations found.

Exterior Signaling (With Vehicle Running)

Similar to the interior operation section of the bus inspection template, we find the exterior signaling section next on the School Bus Inspection Checklist. As the name would suggest, this section focuses on documenting all the vehicle lighting on the bus’s exterior.

The final aspect of any comprehensive pre-trip bus inspection is reviewing the vehicle’s operation. A driver will operate the vehicle at ultra-slow speeds for a moment to ascertain the working condition of things like the brakes, steering, and engine operation. The section also rightfully includes observations of engine noise and even gear shifting comments.

How To Use The Pre-Trip School Bus Inspection Checklist

When documenting bus pre-trip inspections, a downloadable template can come in handy. It is especially true if your agency or organization has specific requirements that you must include in the inspection report.

To best use the pre-trip school bus inspection checklist, follow these simple steps:

• Download the free template – School Bus Inspection Checklist
• Make enough copies to suit your fleet and the number of days this batch of reports will cover.
• Dispense the template to your bus drivers and instruct them on its use.
• Set up a filing system to maintain copies of the inspection reports.

As you can see, the template is simple to use. The sections are clear and concise, and there’s even a brief set of template directions for completion right at the top of the page above the administrative information section.

Suggested Manual Edits

Each state and province may maintain local or regional legislation regarding bus inspections. So, we anticipate you will require minor changes or edits on our downloadable template.

Some states require specific language for the school bus inspection checklist. You can include these details in the ‘Notes’ section at the bottom of the template, so your drivers know exactly what to have in their reports.

By making this type of edit, you are providing a uniform format that will help your drivers meet the requirements of their state or department. However, if you don’t wish to make these kinds of edits mid-year, simply set up a custom pre-trip inspection sheet for this purpose. Naturally, we’re going to recommend our customizable digital solution – the 1st Reporting App.

In any case, we recommend reviewing all edits with each driver before they leave on their route. Instruct them to print two copies of the inspection report – one for their records and one to include with the daily report.

Some drivers may be used to including a section or passenger behavior, which is an excellent way to build camaraderie between your adult staff members. However, you will want to review any added information included in this section with your transportation department before passing anything along to the school or organization.

An Unofficial Pre-Trip Inspection

In addition to the official pre-trip inspection, you might consider an additional or ‘unofficial’ assessment to ensure your drivers learn to use the form correctly. It is an excellent way for a driver to take a few minutes in his spare time to make sure all seats are in place and the bus is clean inside. If you notice an area that needs attention, go ahead and inform your drivers. Nothing is worse than spending time on a task only to find your driver didn’t do it correctly or entirely in the first place.

At the end of each day, make sure your drivers take time to review their ‘unofficial’ inspection. It is the time to catch anything they may have missed before leaving on their route and help coach them to write more valuable reports.

Things You Need To Know About School Bus Pre-Trip Inspections

The first thing drivers or bus fleet managers typically ask about pre-trip inspections is legally required. Well, here’s the thing about that – in most countries, bus drivers must perform and document a pre-trip vehicle inspection. 

Considering the nature of a bus driver’s job – to ferry children from home to school and back again en masse, pre-trip inspections legal requirements shouldn’t even come into one’s mind. Keeping kids safe during transport via a robust vehicle safety program should be a standard everywhere. With that in mind, we recommend performing a pre-trip safety inspection whether legally obligated to do so or not. 

What The Law Says About Bus Inspections

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice. Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, laws can change at any time. Please check with local authorities to ensure you comply with local legislation.

United States of America

According to the Code of Federal Regulations in the United States , several mandatory inspections are required for motor carriers such as buses.

CFR 49B, Chapter III, Subchapter B, Part 396 of the Code of Federal Regulations clearly states the requirements of inspection, repair, and maintenance of motor carriers. Here are the highlights regarding assessments derived from the code that you need to be aware of:

• Drivers must be knowledgeable of and comply with the regulations regarding vehicle inspections. Ergo, training is most definitely required, and you should have documentation of such. 49 CFR 396.1(a)
• You must maintain parts and accessories in safe and proper order at all times. 49 CFR 396.3(a)(1)
• Pushout windows and vehicle emergency exits (as well as exit marking lights) must have a full inspection every 90 days at the minimum. 49 CFR 396.3(a)(2)
• You must maintain vehicle inspection records for a minimum period of 30 days. Therefore, a comprehensive filing system is needed. For ease of data collection and document retention, you should consider using a digital inspection app like the 1st Reporting app. You will find it much easier than printed hard copies (as long as your drivers use a smart device like a phone or tablet, that is). 49 CFR 396.3(b)

These required records must include:

• Vehicle ID with company number
• Serial number
• Year of manufacture
• Owner of the vehicle (if leased, rented, or otherwise not-owned directly)
• Inspection and maintenance logs indicate the due date and nature of the inspection or maintenance.
• Record of inspections, repairs, and maintenance. These must also indicate the date and nature of service.
• Record of testing the push-out windows and other emergency exits on the bus. Similarly, these records must also include the accompanying emergency lighting systems test.

You must maintain the above records at your place of business for no less than one year. If a bus leaves your fleet, you must keep the records for six months after the bus has departed your ownership. 49 CFR 396.3(c)

In Canada, the law is clear about pre-trip inspections of work vehicles, including buses. Any driver of a vehicle owned and operated by a company, whether for profit or not, must perform a pre-trip vehicle inspection. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines.

Regulation 199/07 of the Highway Traffic Act covers the requirements for commercial motor vehicle inspections in Canada.

The regulation clearly states that buses and any other vehicle used for transporting children must have a pre-trip inspection completed no more than 24 hours before using the vehicle.

United Kingdom

The Health and Safety Executive in the UK has similar rules to the US and Canada regarding vehicles used for work (including buses). The HSE clearly states:

“By law, every employer must make sure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”

The HSE also states:

“Employers may find it helpful to give drivers a list of daily checks to sign off for their vehicles.

An incident reporting system is essential to enable employers to meet their legal obligations to report some accidents.”

We won’t go into more detail, but the idea is the same. As a company that owns and operates a fleet of buses, you must complete safety inspections of any vehicle (including buses) used by the company and its staff.

Solutions For Document Retention For Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspections

Are you interested in a versatile, cloud-based inspection and reporting platform? Look no further!

Our app, 1st Reporting , is perfect for using smart devices for inspections, audits, and report retention. Plus, we offer a library of standard reporting templates perfect for any business or organization.

The app allows users to access a library of standard reporting templates from vehicle inspections to workplace injury incident procedures. Plus, you can customize not only templates but automated notifications too! So the app is the perfect solution for replacing outdated paper forms and filing cabinets with new mobile form automation technology.

Join the globally-recognized brands that trust 1st Reporting to safeguard their organizations!

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