Why Safety Matters
The pre-trip inspection is not just about identifying problems—it is about demonstrating safe habits from the very beginning.
Simple things like:
- using the handrail
- maintaining control as you enter
- setting the parking brake
- placing the vehicle in neutral
all show that you understand how to operate safely.
Miss these, and it raises concerns before the inspection even gets going.
How to Work Through Each Section
Move through each step in order and practice it the same way every time.
Focus on:
- doing it correctly
- saying it clearly
- understanding why it matters
You are not trying to rush through this—you are building a routine you can rely on under pressure.
Tips For Success
- Instead of thinking of each item separately group similar items together in your mind.
- For example, don’t think of it as what you have to inspect for the headlights, then what you have to inspect for the reds. Every light on the bus you will be inspecting for the same thing.
- USE THE CHECKLIST!
- And PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Key Inspection Keywords & Phrases
- PMS: Properly Mounted and Secure (used for almost every component).
- ABC: Abrasions, Bulges, Cuts (used for hoses, wires, and tires).
- No CDL: No Cracked, Damaged, Loose (metal parts).
- Fluid Checks: Properly filled, cap secure, no leaks.
- Lighting: Clean, working, proper color, not cracked.
- Suspension: Not bent,, not broken, no missing nuts/bolts.
- Air System: No audible leaks.