Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF › Title 92 - NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Chapter 91 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS & OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES › Appendix C - PRE-TRIP INSPECTION PROCEDURES

Current through June 17, 2024
The school bus driver must perform pre-trip inspection of the
				  school bus and equipment before transporting pupils. This pre-trip inspection
				  consists of the following:
a. Bus exterior
b. Bus interior
c. Operating - Road Check
The driver of a small vehicle must perform pre-trip
				  inspection before the vehicle is used for transporting pupils.
Before starting the engine, drivers should conduct an
				  interior and exterior walk-around, visually checking behind doors, accessible
				  panels, under seats, undercarriage, etc., for suspicious items. If a suspicious
				  item is found, the driver should clear the immediate area and notify
				  authorities, as determined by the local school officials.
CARE &
				  INSPECTION
Exterior Inspection or the "pre-trip
				  Walk-Around"
Before conducting the daily
pre-trip
walk-around, start the engine and allow the vehicle to warm-up. Do not leave
				  the vehicle while it is warming up. Set the parking brake and put the
				  transmission in neutral. Then get out and inspect the vehicle thoroughly - top
				  to bottom and end to end. Walk completely around it, alert to faulty equipment.
				  Carry supplies to clean the lights, mirrors, signs, and windows. When the
				  vehicle lights and signs are not visible because of dirt, other motorists can
				  come to close to the vehicle before reacting. If the headlights, mirrors, or
				  windows are dirty, reaction time is reduced due to poor visibility.
Listed below is each piece of equipment to be inspected for
				  proper working order and warnings, which point to potential problems.
[Pre-trip inspection for small vehicles consists of
				  inspecting the items below which have been indicated by an asterick
				  (*).]
*
Lights*
- Check all lights applicable to the
				  vehicle: back-up lights, brake lights, directional signals, hazard flashers,
				  headlights, lighted school bus sign, reflectors, running lights, stop arm
				  lights, taillights, and warning lights. Any lights or reflectors exhibiting
				  such problems as inconsistent flashing, cracks, or other damage, should be
				  reported in writing and repaired.
*
Mirror*
- Mirrors should be aimed and tightly
				  adjusted. Make certain you have a safe view.
*
Windows*
- All windows, especially the
				  windshield and rear window, should be clear of dirt, ice, road film, and snow
				  that can cause glare or impair visibility. Do not clear just a "peephole."
				  Inspect windows for cracks and report any problems to the
				  administration.
*
Emergency Rear Door
- Check to see that it
				  opens easily from the outside. The emergency door-warning buzzer should sound
				  when the door is opened and the ignition key is on. This door must always be
				  ready for emergencies, yet tightly sealed when closed to prevent possible
				  entrance of carbon monoxide fumes.
*
Exhaust System*
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
				  occurs the most frequently when a vehicle is standing still or is in an
				  enclosed space with the engine running. Look for visible exhaust and listen for
				  excessive noise and vibration. Check for leaks in the exhaust system and holes
				  in the body of the vehicle. Leaks should immediately be reported and repaired.
				  The exhaust system should also be checked for sagging tailpipes (exhaust pipes)
				  and mufflers.
*
Fluid Leaks*
- Examine inner wheels and tires
				  and the area under the vehicle for wetness. Leaks can be engine oil, coolant,
				  fuel, rear axle fluid, or grease, as well as brakes, clutch, or transmission
				  fluid. Leaks should immediately be reported and repaired.
*
Tires*
- Check the tires and see to if they
				  are under inflated, flat, excessively worn or damaged. Don't drive the vehicle
				  unless the tires are in good shape. One flat rear tire can place a dangerous
				  weight on the companion tire of a dual set.
*
Wheels*
- Look for loose or missing nuts,
				  excessive corrosion, cracks or other damage. Don't drive with a damaged wheel
				  or with loose wheel nuts.
*
Under the Hood*
- Before starting the engine
				  for the daily walk-around, you should check the coolant and/or antifreeze and
				  oil to make sure they are at the proper level. Also, look for cracked, loose,
				  or worn drive belts, hoses, and hose clamps.
Interior
				  Inspection
After the exterior inspection is complete, the vehicle should
				  be checked thoroughly on the inside. All driver's instruments and controls must
				  be functioning properly. All of the following items should be checked before
				  operating the vehicle.
*
Lights*
- Check the panel light and the
				  interior dome lights. They should be clean and work properly.
*
Mirrors*
- They should be adjusted, aimed and
				  cleaned so your visibility is unobstructed.
*
Windows*
- These should be cleaned from the
				  inside as well as the outside, for total visibility, especially the windshield
				  and rear window. Check for cracks in the windows and report any problems to the
				  administration.
*
Defroster, Fan and Heater*
- The vents should
				  be unobstructed; i.e., do not cover them with coats, books, papers, etc., to
				  insure that air moves through properly.
*
Driver's Seat and Seat Belts*
- These should
				  be adjusted so that the driver's feet reach the pedals, the doors, mirrors, and
				  windows are in comfortable viewing distance, and the steering wheel is easily
				  grasped without stretching or reaching. Seat belts for all passengers
				  (including the driver) shall be in working order.
*
Emergency Door and Buzzer
- The door should be
				  tightly sealed from the inside, but ready for emergency use. The buzzer should
				  sound when the door is opened.
*
Emergency Equipment*
- All emergency equipment
				  should be easily accessible, yet out of the pupil's reach. Emergency equipment
				  consists of the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and reflectors. The fire
				  extinguisher should be undamaged and properly stored. Replace cracked or broken
				  hoses, keep nozzles unobstructed and make sure locking pins and sealing wires
				  are in place. Periodically, shake the fire extinguisher to loosen the
				  powder.
*
Horn*
- It should sound clearly without the
				  horn or horn button sticking.
*
Stop Arm Control and Service Door Control
-
				  Check to see that the controls coordinate with the actions of the stop arm and
				  door. If there is a problem, it should be reported and repaired.
*The windshield wipers and washers, the steering wheel, and
				  neutral safety switch should also be checked to make sure they are in proper
				  working order.
The following equipment of the Interior Inspection should be
				  checked with the engine running:
*
Air Pressure or Vacuum Gauge
- This gauge
				  indicates the proper capacity of pressure to operate the brakes. Do not operate
				  the vehicle until the pressure reaches the proper capacity. Loss of pressure
				  indicates a leak in the system.
*
Voltmeter Gauge
- The voltmeter gauge
				  indicates the voltage of the electrical charging system. This meter should show
				  about 14 volts with the engine running. If it shows a higher or lower voltage,
				  the vehicle should be checked.
*
Brake Pedal and Warning Light
- If the light
				  comes on during a hard brake application, in a vehicle equipped with a dual
				  brake system, it indicates that at least one of the brake systems is not
				  working properly.
*
Fuel Gauge*
- It should indicate a safe margin
				  of fuel for operating, never less than ¼ full.
*
Oil Pressure Gauge*
- The oil pressure gauge
				  indicates the proper oil pressure. If it does not, the engine should be turned
				  off. Learn what the proper oil pressure is for the vehicle.
*
Water Temperature Gauge*
- The water
				  temperature gauge indicates the temperature of the coolant in the engine. It
				  should read COOL or WARM. If it reads HOT, the engine should immediately be
				  turned off and the problem reported.
Be sure to check the passenger compartment; inspecting seats
				  and windows, making sure there are no potential missiles (such as lunch boxes,
				  toys, or school books) laying on the seats or floor.
Operating - Road
				  Check
The operating inspection is performed while the vehicle is
				  being driven. A daily road check, both before and after loading the pupils,
				  allows the driver to evaluate the working condition of that equipment which can
				  only be inspected while the vehicle is in motion.
A driver should be constantly aware of the weight and motion
				  of the passengers and how the vehicle is affected (as in pick-up
				  characteristics, the tendency to drift, how the vehicle handles on curves,
				  etc.) by always monitoring how the engine performs under load. The operating
				  inspection consists of checking the following:
*
Brakes
* - Do not wait until the vehicle is on
				  the road to test the brakes. They can be tested in the yard at the bus garage.
				  Moving at a low speed, come to a complete stop. The vehicle should stop in a
				  straight line without pulling to one side, skidding, or swerving. The brakes
				  should not grab, lock, or make excessive noise such as squeaking or squealing.
				  The brake pedal should not feel grabby, over sensitive, or spongy. When the
				  brakes are not in use, watch for dragging which causes the vehicle to pull to
				  one side.
*
Clutch
(if applicable) - When changing gears,
				  the driver should control the speed of the engine so the shift can be completed
				  easily and smoothly without jerking or slipping. Careless shifting wears out
				  the clutch and reduces its service life. When the shift is completed, remove
				  foot from the clutch-do not "ride" the clutch. When the pedal is released, the
				  clutch should have some "free play." Watch for dragging, grabbing, or lack of
				  free play on the pedal. Listen for unusual sounds. If you smell an odor like
				  burning rubber, the vehicle should immediately be stopped.
*
Emergency Parking Brake
- To test both air and
				  mechanical brakes with a manual transmission, slowly engage the clutch while
				  the parking brake is on. If the vehicle moves easily, the parking brake is not
				  holding and should immediately be reported. With air brake systems, the parking
				  brake will remain applied if there is partial or complete air loss in the
				  service brakes. Release the parking brake when the vehicle is in motion.
				  Driving with the parking brake on is a frequent cause of failure of the
				  emergency brake.
*
Engine*
- Do not race the engine when it is
				  cold. Increase the engine's speed slowly so that all the parts can be
				  lubricated. Do not exceed the maximum rpm. Listen for unusual sounds such as
				  backfire, light tapping, occasional misfire, piston slap, rapid hammering, or
				  whistling. Be alert to slow engine warm-up, lack or normal response, vibrations
				  of the chassis, or failure of warm engine to start.
* Steering*
- The steering should be easy to
				  handle, precise, responsive, and steady in turns and over rough roads. Power
				  steering should be exceptionally quiet. The steering should not have excessive
				  "play," jerking, "kickback" or rattles.
*
Suspension*
- Improper suspension can cause
				  "bottoming," excessive bounce, swaying and weaving on curves or rough roads, or
				  one end of the vehicle to sag. Check for broken springs or faulty shock
				  absorbers.
*
Transmission*
- With the transmission in a
				  moving gear, the vehicle should move smoothly in response to depressing the
				  accelerator. An automatic or manual transmission should slip into gear and have
				  easy and smooth gear changes throughout the shifting range. Do not exceed the
				  manufacturer's recommended speed for each specific gear (rpm). Exceeding speed
				  recommendations could damage the transmission or reduce its service life. Any
				  metallic or unusual sounds or shifting difficulty should be reported
				  immediately.
Continue to check all equipment throughout the day being
				  alert to warning signs which will indicate potential problems. Be aware that
				  the condition of the vehicle changes during the day.
At the end of the operating period check the passenger
				  compartment for remaining passengers, lost articles such as books, lunch boxes,
				  clothing, or toys. Inspect the seats for damaged upholstery and the window for
				  cracks or breaks. Clean the vehicle, sweeping the floor, washing the seats,
				  windows, and exterior.
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