Washington State School Bus Skills Inspection

Revised 06-23-2023
Reference WA DOL handbook CDL 520-408 (N/10/20)

BOLD text is to be memoried
ITALICS are instructions for you only.

Put your sweat belt on whenever you are in the driver's seat. Use the handrail at all times
Point to or touch every component
Turn the key ON. Wait for confirmation from the examiner for each light before moving on. Deactivate each light when you are finished with it.
  1. Highlights: low and high beams
  2. Clearnace lights
  3. Left turn signal; right turn signal
  4. 4-way emergency flashers
  5. Alternately flashing amber lights
  6. Alternately flashing red lights
  7. Stop paddle lights
All my front lights are operating properly and not borken.
  1. Tail lights
  2. Clearnace lights
  3. Brake lights
  4. Left turn signal; right turn signal
  5. 4-way emergency flashers
  6. Alternately flashing amber lights
  7. Alternately flashing red lights
  8. Stop paddle lights
All my rear lights are operating properly and not borken.
Ensure all lights are off
For each part of the air brake test. you MUST tell the examiner what the result of each test should be before it occurs. Failure to do so will result in a failure of the entire brake test, which must be completed with 100% accurary. If at any point you believe you have made a mistake. Inform the examiner that you wish to restart. Start the engine, build to cutout, being again.
Undo and reconnect
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. it adjusts,
  3. latches properly,
  4. and is not ripped or frayed.
Pump the service brake until the air guage show below 90 PSI. Say: The PSI is below 90.
Turn the key off, then back on; wait for gauge to cycle and lights to go out.
  1. The ABS warning light illuminates then turns off,
  2. The bus is in neutral,
  3. The parking brake is on,
  4. My foot is on the service brake,
  5. Start the engine.
The PSI is below 90 and building.
The cutout range is between 120 and 140 PSI.
Wait for the governor to cut out.
The governor cut out at _____ PSI.
Turn the engine off, then turn the key back on.
  1. Engine is off,
  2. Fully apply the service brake, (Hold it)
  3. Release the parking brake,
  4. Hold the service brake for 1 minute,
  5. Check the air gauge for no more than 3 PSI loss in 1 minute,
  6. I am listening and looking for air leaks,
  7. At the conclusion of your test: There are no leaks.
  1. Fanning the service brake slowly,
  2. The low air warning buzzer and light should activate at or above 55 PSI,
  3. When both have activated, They activated at _____ PSI.
  1. Continuing to fan the service brake,
    (Ensure the parking brake is still released.)
  2. The parking brake should activate at approximately 40 PSI.
  3. Once activated, It activated at _____ PSI.
Restart the engine, wait for PSI to build. Wait for the gauge to read at least 100 PSI. Exit bus, remove chock, reenter bus
  1. Parking brake is engaged.
  2. Place the bus in a low gear.
  3. Slowly accelerate, bring the RPMs to 200 above idle. The parking brake should prevent the vehicle from moving.
  4. The parking brake holds.
  1. I will slowly pull forward the bus and apply the serviec brake. Do not exceed 2 MPH.
  2. Apply the service brake gently. The brake works properly and the bus does not pull to either side.
  1. DEF gauge is working properly; it shows more than 1/8th full.
  2. Temperture gauage is working properly; it shows temperture is at or building to operating range.
  3. Oil pressure gauge is working properly; it shows pressure is at or building to operating range.
  4. Ammeter and voltmeter gauge are working properly; they shows the alternator is charging.
  5. Air gauges are working properly
    6. All gauges are working properly. I see no warning lights and hear no buzzers.
  1. Left turn signal; Right turn signal.
  2. 4-way emergency flashers.
  3. High beams
  1. Driver's heater fan works. Place hand where air blows to demonstrate.
  2. Driver's defrost fan works. Place hand where air blows to demonstrate.
  3. Horn works. Demonstrate.
Windshield washers work properly. Demonstrate.
  1. are secure,
  2. operate smoothly,
  3. and are not damaged.
  1. is clean,
  2. not damaged,
  3. and has no obstrctions or illegal stickers.
  1. are clean,
  2. securly mounted,
  3. properly adjusted,
  4. and are not damaged,
  5. with no loose fittings or brackets.
  1. Steps are clear.
  2. Tread is not looses or excessively worn.
  3. Handrail is securely mounted.
  1. is not damaged,
  2. opens smoothly,
  3. the step light is working,
  4. and it closes securely. Demonstrate
Turn th engine off, then tuen the key back on.
  1. The seat frames are not broken.
  2. They are securely attached to the floor.
  3. The seat cushions are securely attached to the frames.
Point to and identify ALL emergency exits. Explain how each exit type works.
  1. Service door (two ways to open)
  2. Demonstrate side emergency exit door. Do not open all the way.
    1. Lift up red handle and push to exit.
    2. The door operates smoothly,
    3. closes securely,
    4. is not damaged,
    5. works properly inside,
    6. and the warning buzzer sounds.
  3. Rear door (same as side doors)
  4. Roof hatches
  5. Emergency exit windows
  1. Fire extinguisher
    • is securely mounted,
    • and properly charged.
  2. First aid kit
  3. Body fluid cleanup kit
  4. 3 reflective triangles
  5. The bus is equiped with spare fuses.
Turn the key OFF and remove from ignition.
Unlatch and open the hood. Start on the passenger's side of the engine compartment.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. not damaged,
  4. and not leaking.
  5. It is belt driven.
    • Identify belt. Belt is not cracked, worn or frayed.
    • The belt deflects no more than 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Explain how to check.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. and not damaged.
  4. All wires are securely fastened.
  5. It is belt driven.
    • Identify belt. Belt is not cracked, worn or frayed.
    • The belt deflects no more than 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Explain how to check.
Move to the driver's side of the vehicle.
Oil is checked with a dipstick (point to it). It is above the refill mark and in safe operating range.
Coolant is at adequate level. Point to reservoir.
I see no leaks, dripping fuilds, or puddle on the ground, transmission or engine.
The hoses are not damanaged or leaking.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. not damaged,
  4. and not leaking.
  5. It is gear driven.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. not damaged,
  4. and not leaking.
  5. It is gear driven.
  6. The fuild is checked with a dipstick and is above refill mark.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. not leaking,
  3. and has no loose or missing nuts and bolts.
  4. Hoses are not damaged or leaking.
  1. The connecting arms, rods, and links from the steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked.
  2. The joints and sockets are not worn or loose.
  3. There are no loose or missing nuts, bolts, or cotter pins.
  1. aer not missing,
  2. cracked,
  3. broken,
  4. or shifted.
  1. Spring brackets, bolts, and bushings are securely mounted.
  2. and the bushings are not missing or damaged.
  1. are securely mounted,
  2. and not broken or missing.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. and not leaking.
  1. are not cracked or dented,
  2. they have no holes,
  3. no loose or missing bolts,
  4. and no contaminants such as oil or grease.
  1. are not dangerously worn thin,
  2. and no contaminants such as oil or grease.
  1. are securely mounted,
  2. have no bent, broken, loose, or missing parts,
  3. and should not move more than 1" when pulled by hand with the brakes released.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. not cracked, dented, or leaking,
  3. and has no loose or missing clamps.
  1. can supply air
  2. They are not cracked, worn, frayed, or leaking.
  3. The fittings and couplings are securely mounted and not leaking.
  1. I would check for proper inflation using a tire gauge.
  2. Tread depth must be at least 4/32 of an inche.
  3. The tread is evenly worn,
  4. and there are no cuts or damage to the tread or sidewalls.
  1. are not damaged or bent,
  2. and have no welding repairs.
  1. are not missing or loose.
  2. There are no rust trails around the nuts.
  3. There are no cracks radiating from the bolt holes,
  4. and no distortion of the bolt holes.
  1. are not missing,
  2. damaged,
  3. or borken.
    Hub Oil Seal is at adequate level and not leaking.
  1. Checking everything I mentioned earlier.
  2. Windows are not damaged.
  3. No excessive dirt.
Checking mirrors and mirror brackets as I mentioned earlier.
Move to the front of the bus.
Identiy each light and its proper color; Lights must be identified as red, amber, or clear.
  1. They are clean,
  2. not missing or broken,
  3. and the lenses are the proper color for their locations.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. and not damaged.
  4. It fully extended earlier,
  5. and works in conjunction with the stop paddle.
Move to the left side of the bus.
Mirrors and mirror brackets are checked same as the passenger side.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. operating properly,
  3. and not damaged.
  4. It fully extended earlier,
  5. the lights operated properly on both sides,
  6. and it works in conjuction with the crossing arm.
Demonstrate with the battery door.
  1. is operating properly,
  2. not damaged,
  3. and latches securely.
Open door all the way to confirm it latches open.
  1. Checking everything mentioned earlier.
  2. Reflective tape is secure and not missing.
  1. are red at the rear and amber elsewhere,
  2. clean,
  3. and not missing or broken.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. and tightly conencted.
  3. There are no loose clamps,
  4. no signs of leaks such as rust or carbon soot,
  5. and no cracks, holes, or severe dents
  1. is not bent, twisted, or cracked
  2. The U-joints are secure and free of foreign objects.
  1. There are no cracks, broken welds, holes or other damage in the frame rails.
  2. The cross members are not bent, cracked, broken, loose or missing.
  3. There are no holes or cracks in the floor.
    Torque Arms are securely mounted and not damaged
Air bags are not damaged or leaking.
I would check the rear
  1. Leaf Springs,
  2. Spring Mounts,
  3. U-Bolts,
  4. and Shock Absorbers
the same as on the front
I would check the rear
  1. Drums,
  2. Linings
  3. Slack Adjuster and Pushrod,
  4. Brake Chamber,
  5. and Brake Hoses and Lines
the same as on the front
With the exception of the tread, which must be at least 2/32 of an inch, I would check the
  1. Tires,
  2. Rims,
  3. Lung Nuts,
  4. Valve Stem and Cap,
  5. and Hub Oil Seal
the same as on the front.
  1. The dual tires are evenly spaced,
  2. not damaged,
  3. and free of debris and foreign objects.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. and not damaged.
Move to the rear of the bus.
Checking all rear lights.
Identify each light and its proper color; Lights must be identified as red, amber, or clear.
  1. Two alternately flashing amber lights.
  2. Two alternately flashing red lights.
  3. Two red 4-way emergency flashers.
  4. Two amber singnal lighsts.
  5. Four tail lights and two of which on top are also brake lights.
  6. Two clear backup lights.
  1. They are clean,
  2. not missing or broken,
  3. and the lenses are the proper color for their locations.
  1. are red,
  2. clean,
  3. and not missing or broken.
Rear Emergency Door is checked the same as the side emergency door.
Open door all the way to confirm it latches open.
Rear reflective tape is secure and not missing.
Move to the right side of the bus
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. and not leaking.
(open access door and demonstrate)
  1. is tight,
  2. and not leaking.
  1. is securely mounted,
  2. and not leaking.
(open access door and demonstrate)
  1. is tight,
  2. and not leaking.

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Congratulations! This concludes the Skill Test Portion of your driving examination.