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Driving FunDamentals i
UNIT F. drIvINg FUNdameNTals I
Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Training Manual
F-1
UNIT F
Driving FunDamentals i
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ F-3
pRepaRINg TO DRIve ............................................................................................ F-3
sTaRTINg aND DRIvINg a DIesel vehICle ................................................... F-3
Starting a Diesel ....................................................................................................... F-3
Driving a Diesel ........................................................................................................ F-4
shIFTINg geaRs ...................................................................................................... F-4
Shifting Standard Transmission ............................................................................... F-5
Shifting Procedures ......................................................................................................... F-5
Shifting Tips .................................................................................................................... F-6
Starting on an Upgrade ................................................................................................... F-6
Double Clutching ............................................................................................................. F-6
Shifting Up ...................................................................................................................... F-6
Shifting Down .................................................................................................................. F-6
Shifting Automatic Transmissions ........................................................................... F-7
sTeeRINg aND TURNINg....................................................................................... F-7
Steering Techniques ................................................................................................. F-7
Turning Procedures .................................................................................................. F-7
Rounding Curves ............................................................................................................. F-8
Using Turn Signals.......................................................................................................... F-8
Making Left and Right Turns .......................................................................................... F-8
Left Turn Procedures ...................................................................................................... F-9
Right Turn Procedures .................................................................................................... F-9
RevIew QUesTIONs ...............................................................................................F-10
baCkINg ....................................................................................................................F-10
Keep Students on the Bus ....................................................................................... F-10
Back and Turn Toward the Drivers Side ............................................................... F-10
Look at Your Path ................................................................................................... F-10
Use a Helper Whenever Possible ................................................................................... F-10
Back Slowly ............................................................................................................. F-11
makINg a TURN-aROUND .....................................................................................F-11 UNIT F. drIvINg FUNdameNTals I
F-2

Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Training Manual
sTOppINg ..................................................................................................................F-12
Stopping Distances ................................................................................................. F-12
Following Distances ................................................................................................ F-12
Stopping Procedures for Standard Transmissions.................................................. F-13
Low Speed Stopping ...................................................................................................... F-13
Stopping at Speeds Greater than 10 mph ..................................................................... F-13
Stopping on an Upgrade ................................................................................................ F-14
Stopping on a Downgrade .............................................................................................. F-14
CheCkINg OveRheaD CleaRaNCe ..................................................................F-14
RevIew QUesTIONs ...............................................................................................F-14
appROaChINg RaIlROaD CROssINgs ............................................................F-15
When a Bus Must Stop at a Railroad Crossing....................................................... F-15
Procedures for Stopping at a Railroad Crossing ..................................................... F-15
Prepare to Stop .............................................................................................................. F-15
Stop the Bus .................................................................................................................. F-15
Look and Listen ............................................................................................................. F-15
No Approaching Train ................................................................................................... F-15
Approaching Train ......................................................................................................... F-16
Multi-Track Crossings ................................................................................................... F-16
CROssINg DRawbRIDges ....................................................................................F-16
eNTeRINg The FlOw OF TRaFFIC ....................................................................F-16
General ................................................................................................................... F-16
Entrance and Exit Ramps ....................................................................................... F-17
Intersections ........................................................................................................... F-17
UsINg laNes aND pOsITIONINg ON The hIghway ....................................F-17
General ................................................................................................................... F-17
Changing Lanes ...................................................................................................... F-18
Being Overtaken and Passed .................................................................................. F-18
Dont Direct Traffic ................................................................................................. F-18
Overtaking and Passing .......................................................................................... F-18
mOUNTaIN DRIvINg aND sTeep DOwNgRaDes ...........................................F-19
Using Gears Going Downhill .................................................................................. F-19
Proper Braking ....................................................................................................... F-19
Using Escape Ramps ............................................................................................... F-20
RevIew QUesTIONs ...............................................................................................F-20 UNIT F. drIvINg FUNdameNTals I
Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Training Manual
F-3
UNIT F
drIvINg FUNdameNTals I
intrODuCtiOn
The purpose of this unit is to teach you the basic driving skills necessary to transport your
passengers safely and efficiently. As a professional school bus driver, you are entrusted with the
lives and safety of human cargo that cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents. Better
late than never is an old saying that applies to all drivers. You cant rush and drive cautiously at
the same time. Establish a pattern for driving cautiously and stick with it, late or not. Drive
according to the motto Safety first.